Improving care in cardiac rehabilitation for minority ethnic populations

Introduction: In the United Kingdom (UK) ethnic minority groups from the Indian sub-continent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) are at increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) related mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in recording of clinical data by ethnicity following the implementation of an electronic centralised cardiac rehabilitation register in the North West of England. Methods: Data were collected over 18. months for all individuals (n=1993) assessed for entry into the cardiac rehabilitation programme. Analysis of the recording of clinical data was undertaken by ethnicity with adjustment for gender, age group and deprivation. Results: Most patients on the database had their ethnicity recorded (94.4%). South Asians (Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi) were less likely to have clinical data items recorded compared to the majority White British group. The disparity in recording of clinical data was most marked for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score (adjusted OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.07-0.36), body mass index (adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.79), pulse (0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.88), blood glucose (adjusted OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44-0.93) and cholesterol (adjusted OR 0.64, 965% CI 0.44-0.95). Conclusion: Recording of clinical data relevant to successful cardiac rehabilitation was poorer among South Asian patients.