Ethnic differences in total and HDL cholesterol concentrations: Caucasians compared with predominantly Punjabi Sikh Indo-Asians

Background In comparison with Caucasians, Indo-Asians resident in the UK have similar total cholesterol but lower HDL cholesterol (HDLC) concentrations. It is however possible that cardiovascular risk factors may vary between culturally different Indo-Asians. Methods We present data on 223 Indo-Asians (129 men, 94 women) and 787 Caucasians (421 men, 366 women) in whom a laboratory-based coronary heart disease (CHID) risk score calculation had been requested. Results Total cholesterol concentrations were similar in Indo-Asians and Caucasians. HDLC concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) in Caucasians [1.4 (1.3-1.4) mmol/L; median (95% confidence intervals)] than in Indo-Asians [1.2 (1.2-1.3) mmol/L]. Indo-Asian women [1.2 (1.2-1.3) mmol/L], Indo-Asian men [1.2 (1.2-1.3) mmol/L] and Caucasian men [1.2 (1.2-1.3) mmol/L] had similar HDLC concentrations but these were all lower (P < 0.001) than those in Caucasian women [1.4 (1.3-1.4) mmol/L]. Conclusion We confirm low HDLC concentrations in Indo-Asians, but propose that this is solely due to low HDLC concentrations in Indo-Asian women. Since Indo-Asians in Wolverhampton are predominantly Punjabi Sikhs, we suggest that the difference between this study and previous reports may be due to heterogeneity of CHD risk factors within culturally diverse Indo-Asians.