Analysis Of Electrocardiogram Minnesota Codings In 224 "Desert People" In Taklimakan

Objective: To study the physiological characteristics and cardiac electrophysiology of the isolated "Desert people" in Taklimakan Desert. Method: Keriya Uyghur's served as control. Body weight, height, waist circumference were measured for body mass index. Cardiovascular disease history and risk factors, blood pressure, 12-lead ECG were obtained. Resting ECGs were examined randomly and consecutively, and Minnesota code recommended WHO as ECG analyzed classification. The ECG and related data were analyzed by X~2 test. Results: This study was conducted in September 2005 in Hotan district. ECG was taken in 224 of "Desert people" randomly. The "Desert people" were consisted of 133 males (age ranges 15-99, mean 37.8years) and 91 females (age 17-60 years, mean 34.1 years). Controls were 151subjects. Among them, 76 were males (age 27~85years, mean 50.7years) and 75 were females (24-69 years, mean 46.6years). 1. The abnormal coding rate was 46% in "Desert people", with 54.9% in male and 33% in female. The abnormal coding rate was 35.1% in control group, with 28% in female and 42.1% in male.2. In "Desert people" group, ECG high left R amplitudes (code 3-1, 3-3) rate was 32.6%, with female 19.8%, and male 41.2%. In control group, it was 12.6%, with 10.7% in female and 14.5% in male.3. Hypertension rate was 7.6%, 36.4% in "desert people" group and control group respectively.4. Overweight and obese rate was 9.6% and 23 % in "desert people" and control respectively.5. Arrhythmia (8-1-8-8) rate was 8.92% (Desert people) and 6.62% (control). 6. The incidence of conduction block (7-1-7-8) was 3.12% and 2.64% in "desert people" group and control group respectively. Conclusions: The higher incidence of ECG high left R amplitudes and low prevalence of hypertension in "Desert people" suggest that the high left R amplitude in "Desert people" may be related to their thin chest wall, low BMI, and physiological left ventricular hypertrophy. "Desert people" have more physical work, less stress and pollution. They have low incidence of congenital heart decease, rheumatic heart disease and hypertension. All these may be associated with a low incidence of arrhythmia.