title: The Effect of Residing Altitude on Levels of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Pilot Study From the Omani Arab Population.
abstract: Lower mortality rates from coronary heart disease and higher levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) have been observed in populations residing at high altitude. However, this effect has not been investigated in Arab populations, which exhibit considerable genetic homogeneity. We assessed the relationship between residing altitude and HDL-C in 2 genetically similar Omani Arab populations residing at different altitudes. The association between the levels of HDL-C and other metabolic parameters was also investigated. The levels of HDL-C were significantly higher in the high-altitude group compared with the low-altitude group. Stepwise regression analysis showed that altitude was the most significant factor affecting HDL-C, followed by gender, serum triglycerides, and finally the 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose. This finding is consistent with previously published studies from other populations and should be taken into consideration when comparing cardiovascular risk factors in populations residing at different altitudes.
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman nafilariyami@gmail.com.
authors: Nafila B
authors: NB
authors: Al Riyami
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Yajnavalka
authors: Y
authors: Banerjee
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Al-Waili
authors: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Syed G
authors: SG
authors: Rizvi
authors: Department of Genetics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Said
authors: S
authors: Al-Yahyaee
authors: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Mohammed O
authors: MO
authors: Hassan
authors: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Sulayma
authors: S
authors: Albarwani
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Al-Rasadi
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Riad A
authors: RA
authors: Bayoumi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D018912:Arabs; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009850:Oman / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: Arab; Oman; altitude; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; metabolic parameters