CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES

Total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) were measured for all adults who gave a blood sample; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) and triglycerides were analysed in the fasting blood sample for informants aged 35 and over.

These analytes provide a lipid profile for survey informants, that is, they measure the level of fat in the blood. High levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, and low levels of HDL-cholesterol, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

After age adjustment, Black Caribbean, Pakistani and Chinese men were less likely to have high total cholesterol levels (5 mmol/l or more) than men in the general population (risk ratios 0.85, 0.86 and 0.81 respectively). Among women, all minority ethnic groups except the Irish were less likely than the general population to have high levels of total cholesterol (risk ratios from 0.77 for Black Caribbean women to 0.86 for Indian women). However, by looking at the components of total cholesterol, greater differences can be seen between groups.

After adjusting for age, Bangladeshi men and women were around three times as likely as the general population to have low levels of HDL-cholesterol (less than 1 mmol/l). While Bangladeshi men were also more likely to have high levels of triglycerides (at least 1.6 mmol/l) (risk ratio 1.63 for men), the levels in women were not significantly different from the general population. Prevalence of high LDL-cholesterol (3.0 mmol/l or more) in Bangladeshi men, however, was not significantly different from the general population.

Pakistani men and women were around twice as likely as the general population to have low levels of HDL-cholesterol. They were also more likely to have high levels of triglycerides (risk ratios 2.29 for men, 1.85 for women). Pakistani men were more likely to have high
LDL-cholesterol (risk ratio 1.34), although the level for Pakistani women did not differ significantly from the general population.

Indian men were no more likely than men in the general population to have low levels of HDL-cholesterol. However their risk of high LDL-cholesterol (risk ratio 1.63) and high triglycerides (2.56) was significantly greater than for men in the general population. Indian women were more likely than women in the general population to have low HDL-cholesterol (risk ratio 1.61), high LDL-cholesterol (1.74) and high triglycerides (2.28).
Black Caribbeans were less likely than the general population to have low HDL-cholesterol levels (risk ratios 0.61 for men, 0.57 for women), and their risk of high triglycerides was no different from the general population. They were however more likely than the general population to have high LDL-cholesterol (risk ratios 1.56 for men, 1.31 for women).

Chinese men and women did not differ significantly from the general population on these measures, except that Chinese men were more likely than men in the general population to have high LDL-cholesterol (risk ratio 1.69), and Chinese women had a higher risk of high triglycerides (1.72).
For Irish men and women there was no significant difference in low HDL-cholesterol levels compared with the general population. However they were more likely to have high LDL-cholesterol (risk ratios 1.74 for men, 2.08 for women) and high triglycerides (risk ratios 2.41 for men, 2.01 for women).

Source: The Health Survey of England 1999