BackgroundThe raising prevalence of weight excess and of non-communicable diseases in indigenous populations, as well as changes in food consumption and reduction in the frequency and intensity of physical activity, suggest that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is also elevated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MS and the frequency of its components in the Xavante adult population living in the Indian reservations of São Marcos and Sangradouro/Volta Grande, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 932 Xavante Indians aged 20 years or more, in the 2008–2012 period. The variables analysed were gender, age, weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, initial and 2-h capillary glycemia in a 75 g OGTT, levels of triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. The diagnostic criteria for MS proposed by the IDF and AHA/NHLBI were used.ResultsThe prevalence of MS was 66.1 % (95 % CI 63.0–69.2), being 76.2 % (95 % CI 72.4–80.0) in women and 55.6 % (95 % CI 51.0–60.2) in men. Women had higher prevalence of MS in all age groups. Elevated waist circumference and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol were the more frequent components in those with MS, and elevated blood pressure was the less frequent.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of MS in the Xavante Indians is mainly due to the increased prevalence of weight excess that resulted from an intense change in their life-style, in a short period of time in a population with a genetic predisposition. These findings highlight the magnitude of this health problem and make an alert about the necessity to implement specific preventive interventions.

BackgroundThe prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is little known in Brazilian indigenous populations. In the last two decades, important changes have occurred in the lifestyle and epidemiological profile of the Xavante people.Objectiveto assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Xavante adults in São Marcos and Sangradouro/Volta Grande reserves, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.MethodsCross-sectional study carried out with 925 Xavante people aged ≥ 20 years between 2008 and 2012. The following indicators were assessed: triglycerides (TG), total, LDL and HDL-cholesterol, Castelli index I and II, TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio, apo B / Apo A1 ratio, Framingham risk score, C-reactive protein, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW), glycemia and blood pressure. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Student's t test and Chi-square test (χ2) were used for statistical analysis, and significance level was set at 5%.ResultsHigh prevalence of elevated cardiovascular risk was observed in men and women according to HDL-cholesterol (66.2% and 86.2%, respectively), TG (53.2% and 51.5%), TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio (60.0% and 49.1%), C-reactive protein (44.1% and 48.1%), BMI (81.3% and 81.7%), WC (59.1% and 96.2%), HW (38.0% and 50,6%) and glycemia (46.8% and 70.2%). Individuals aged 40 to 59 years had the highest cardiovascular risk.ConclusionsThe Xavante have a high cardiovascular risk according to several indicators evaluated. The present analysis of cardiovascular risk factors provides support for the development of preventive measures and early treatment, in attempt to minimize the impact of cardiovascular diseases on this population.

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Characterization of population genetic variation and structure can be used as tools for research in human genetics and population isolates are of great interest. The aim of the present study was to characterize the genetic structure of Xavante Indians and compare it with other populations. The Xavante, an indigenous population living in Brazilian Central Plateau, is one of the largest native groups in Brazil. A subset of 53 unrelated subjects was selected from the initial sample of 300 Xavante Indians. Using 86,197 markers, Xavante were compared with all populations of HapMap Phase III and HGDP-CEPH projects and with a Southeast Brazilian population sample to establish its population structurePrincipal Components Analysis showed that the Xavante Indians are concentrated in the Amerindian axis near other populations of known Amerindian ancestry such as Karitiana, Pima, Surui and Maya and a low degree of genetic admixture was observed. This is consistent with the historical records of bottlenecks experience and cultural isolation. By calculating pair-wise Fst statistics we characterized the genetic differentiation between Xavante Indians and representative populations of the HapMap and from HGDP-CEPH project. We found that the genetic differentiation between Xavante Indians and populations of Ameridian, Asian, European, and African ancestry increased progressively. Our results indicate that the Xavante is a population that remained genetically isolated over the past decades and can offer advantages for genome-wide mapping studies of inherited disorders.

HIV infection is an important risk factor for the development of tuberculosis (TB), and also affects its morbidity and mortality. This study estimated the prevalence of HIV infection in patients hospitalized for TB in Bahia (in northeastern Brazil) and to evaluate its impact on in-hospital mortality. A total of 375 patients with TB, admitted consecutively to a TB reference hospital in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil), were evaluated between July 2001 and July 2003. Anti-HIV serology was performed in all patients irrespective of clinical and/or epidemiological data suggestive of HIV infection. Death during hospitalization was the principal event-dependent variable. Mean age of patients was 41.4 ± 16.2 years and the male/female ratio was 3.4:1.0. The prevalence of HIV infection was 8.8% (95%CI: 6.2-12.0%). Patients in the HIV-positive group were younger than those in the HIV-negative group (37.1 versus 41.9 years; p=0.05). In-hospital mortality was 10.9% for the whole group (95%CI: 9.4-15.9%), but was significantly greater in the HIV-positive group compared to the HIV-negative group (27.3% versus 9.4%; RR=2.9; 95%CI: 1.5-5.6; p=0.002). The prevalence of HIV infection in patients hospitalized for TB in Bahia (northeastern Brazil) is relatively high (8.8%) and mortality is significantly higher (2.9-fold) in the HIV-positive group. These findings justify carrying out HIV testing, as recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, in all TB patients, particularly those requiring hospitalization.