Abstract
Background:
Prevalence and determinants of dyslipidemia among Hispanics/Latinos are not well known.
Methods:
Lipid and lipoprotein data from the HCHS/SOL -- a population-based cohort study of 16,415 US Hispanic/Latino participants, ages 18-74, from Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Central and South American backgrounds -- were used. Criteria for dyslipidemia are based on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines as low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) >130 mg/dl, triglycerides (TG) >200 mg/dl, non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL-C) >160 mg/dl, or low HDL-C (<40 mg/dl for men and <50 mg/dl for women). Differences across Hispanic/Latino groups were tested using Mantel- Haenszel Chi-square and analysis of variance for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Demographics, anthropometric measurements, lifestyle factors, dietary and metabolic profiles in those with abnormal vs. normal lipid components were compared using multivariable logistic regression models.
Results:
Mean age was 40.7 years (SE 0.23) and 48.3% are male. The overall prevalence of any dyslipidemia was 65.1%; prevalence of elevated LDL-C was 35.5%, and highest among Cubans (44.5%; p<0.001). Low HDL-C was present in 41.9% overall, Central Americans had the highest prevalence (44.1%) but not significantly different from other groups (p=0.09). High TGs were seen in 14.9% overall, most commonly among Cubans (17.5%; p<0.001). Elevated non-HDL-C was seen in 34.3% of the sample, and highest among Cubans (43.2%). Dominicans had the lowest prevalence of all four types of dyslipidemia. Multivariate analyses, across all Hispanics, show that prevalence of any dyslipidemia was significantly associated with increasing body mass index and diabetes diagnosis. Higher age was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of low HDL but a higher prevalence of all other dyslipidemia types. Female sex was associated with higher prevalence of low HDL-C but a lower prevalence of elevated TGs, non-HDL-C or LDL-C. Low physical activity was significantly associated with elevated TGs and low HDL-C. Alcohol use was associated with a lower prevalence of low HDL-C only.
Conclusion:
Dyslipidemia is very common among Hispanics/Latinos; Cubans seem particularly at risk. Low HDL-C and elevated LDL-C are most commonly seen. Across all Hispanics, determinants of dyslipidemia varied depending on the type of dyslipidemia. To prevent dyslipidemias, effective public health measures among the Hispanic/Latino population are needed.