Lipid Levels in Sri Lankan Adults: An Analysis from Sri Lanka Diabetes and Cardiovascular Study

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in Sri Lanka. Dyslipidaemia is a major risk factor for development of CVD. Distribution of lipid parameters in Sri Lankans from Sri Lanka Diabetes and Cardiovascular Study (SLDCS) 2005-06 are reported.

Methods: SLDCS was a cross sectional study where a nationally representative sample of 5000 adults was recruited by a multi-stage random cluster sampling. Data were collected using interviews, physical examination and 12-hour fasting blood samples. Total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglyceride levels were measured. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was calculated using the Friedewald formula and directly measured when TG was more than 400 mg/dL. Non-HDL-cholesterol (NHDLC) and TC/HDLC ratio were calculated.

Results: Total of 4486 participated (response rate 89.7%) in the study; women 60.5%; mean age 46 years. Among them 35 people who were already on treatment were excluded. Mean (SD) TC, HDLC, LDLC, TG and NHDLC levels were 206.7 mg/dL (43.5), 46.8 mg/dL (10.6), 135.5 mg/dL (37.6), 121.7 mg/dL (66.8), 159.9 mg/dL(41.6) and 4.6 (1.1) respectively. People with high TC, LDLC, NHDLC and low HDLC were 20.1%, 23.4%, 21.5% and 53.9% respectively and all abnormalities were commoner in females.

Conclusion: Dyslipidaemia which is a major cardiovascular risk factor is common among Sri Lankan adults. It is significantly associated with increasing age, gender, physical activity level, BMI and diabetes.

Keywords: Dyslipidaemia, Cardiovascular risk, LDL cholesterol, Non-HDL cholesterol, Sri Lanka.