Health Differences between Roma and Non-Roma in the Slovak Dialyzed Population

Gabriel Kolvek, Zuzana Straussova, Maria Majernikova, Jaroslav Rosenberger and Jitse P. van Dijk
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Gabriel Kolvek: Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Safarik University, 040 11 Kosice, Slovak Republic
Zuzana Straussova: Nephrology and Dialysis Centre Fresenius Nitra, 949 01 Nitra Slovak Republic
Maria Majernikova: Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Safarik University, 040 11 Kosice, Slovak Republic
Jaroslav Rosenberger: Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Safarik University, 040 11 Kosice, Slovak Republic
Jitse P. van Dijk: Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Safarik University, 040 11 Kosice, Slovak Republic

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-5

Abstract: Background: Roma health has not been studied systematically. Thus far, it has been shown that Roma compared to non-Roma have a significantly higher likelihood of getting end-stage renal disease and that their chances for survival on dialysis are lower. Evidence is lacking regarding morbidity between Roma and non-Roma. The aim was to compare the health status of dialyzed Roma and non-Roma using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). All Slovak dialysis centers for adults were asked to fill in a questionaire with demographic and clinical data, including comorbidity. Cross-sectional analysis of 2082 patients with an average age of 63.8 ± 13.8 years was performed. Comorbidity was expressed as the CCI, and ethnic differences were calculated. Linear regression was performed to adjust for differences in gender and age in both ethnic groups. Roma represented 13.0% of the whole dialyzed population (n = 270). Comorbidity expressed as CCI was significantly lower in the Roma population ( p < 0.001). After adjusting for gender and age, ethnicity failed to be associated with the CCI in the linear regression analysis ( p = 0.965, variance of the model—adjusted R 2 38.6%). The health status of dialyzed Slovak Roma does not differ cross-sectionally when adjusted for age and gender from the health status of dialyzed non-Roma.

Keywords: Roma; health; dialysis; Slovakia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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