Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and coronary heart disease risk factors among southeast Asian refugees in a primary care clinic.
The National Cholesterol Education Program's guidelines for the detection, evaluation, and treatment of high serum cholesterol in adults were employed in screening 155 Southeast Asian refugees in a primary care clinic in Seattle, Washington. In order to determine the need for a therapeutic intervention, information also was collected on the presence of other coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. Male gender (39%), cigarette smoking (27%) and hypertension (26%) were the most common CHD risk factors; diabetes mellitus, obesity, a family or prior history of CHD or cerebral/peripheral vascular disease were each noted in less than 10%. The mean serum total cholesterol was 194 mg/dl. Thirty-seven (24%) patients required further lipoprotein analysis based on cholesterol level, history of CHD and risk factors for CHD. Twenty-one (66%) of 32 patients who underwent lipoprotein analysis (14% of all patients) were candidates for a therapeutic intervention for hypercholesterolaemia. Additionally, 14 (44%) patients undergoing lipoprotein analysis had depressed high-density lipoprotein levels (< 35 mg/dl). We conclude that CHD risk factors including hypercholesterolaemia are common in Southeast Asian refugee clinic patients and that in many, a therapeutic intervention may well be justified. Southeast Asian refugees should be routinely screened for hypercholesterolaemia and other CHD risk factors in accordance with the National Cholesterol Education Program's guidelines.
Dodson
D J
DJ
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Hooton
T M
TM
Buchwald
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012036:Refugees; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides