Comparison of Lipid Levels, Hyperlipidemia Prevalence and Its Risk Factors between Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han Populations
Received 4 October 2005; accepted 20 December 2005.
Background
Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic events. Differences in lipid levels may exist in different races. Han is the largest group and Zhuang is the largest minority among the 56 nationalities in China. Geographically and linguistically, Zhuang can be classified into 43 ethnic subgroups, among which Hei Yi (means black worship and black dress) Zhuang, living in Napo County bordering northeast Vietnam and with a population of about 50,000, is a special ethnic group, and the most conservative with a unique culture. Little is known about the lipid levels in this population. The aim of this study was to compare the lipid levels, prevalence of hyperlipidemia, and risk factors in Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations.
Methods
A total of 1068 people of Hei Yi Zhuang nationality were surveyed by a cluster sampling. Blood pressure, height, weight, serum lipid and apolipoprotein (Apo) levels were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The results were compared with those in 933 people of Han nationality who also live in that district.
Results
The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and Apo B in Hei Yi Zhuang nationality were significantly lower than those in Han nationality (p <0.05–0.001), but the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the ratio of Apo A1 to Apo B in Hei Yi Zhuang nationality were significantly higher than those in Han nationality (p <0.001 and 0.05, respectively). The prevalence rates of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperlipidemia in Hei Yi Zhuang and Han nationalities were 25.00 vs. 28.72% (p >0.05), 12.45 vs. 14.36% (p >0.05), and 31.37 vs. 35.91% (p <0.05); respectively. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia in Hei Yi Zhuang or Han population was positively correlated with age, BMI, blood pressure, and alcohol consumption (p <0.05–0.001), respectively, but was not associated with gender or cigarette smoking in both nationalities (p >0.05).
Conclusions
The current study reveals that there were significant differences in lipid levels and prevalence of hyperlipidemia between Hei Yi Zhuang and Han ethnic groups, but no significant differences in the detected risk factors for hyperlipidemia between the two ethnic groups, which might result from the comprehensive role of different dietary habits, life style, and level of physical activity, as well as genetic background.
aDepartment of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
bDepartment of Pathophysiology, School of Premedical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
cClinical Science Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
dDepartment of Molecular Biology, Guangxi Medical Scientific Research Center, Nanning, China
eThe Health Bureau of Napo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Napo, Guangxi, China
Address reprint requests to: Dr. Yin Ruixing, Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
ABSTRACT