Is hypercholesterolaemia common among Hong Kong Chinese?

Abstract

There is growing concern that coronary heart disease (CHD) is becoming more common and that hypercholesterolaemia may be an important problem among Hong Kong Chinese. This study aims at finding out the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among adult patients in general practice. 1113 Chinese patients aged 21 to 60 attending a Government general outpatient clinic were randomly sampled. The demographic data and information on other CHD risk factors were obtained from each participant. All participants had their cholesterol measured by the Reflotron. The reflotron cholesterol results were validated and calibrated against laboratory results. The survey showed 10% of the sample had blood cholesterol > 6.2mmol/l, and 32% had borderline hypercholesterolaemia between 5.2 to 6.2mmol/l. Less than 1% of the people had cholesterol levels above 7.8mmol/l. Age had the most significant effect on cholesterol level especially in females after 40. One in four females over 50 had blood cholesterol levels > 6.2mmol/l. Twentyone percent of the sample had > 2 other CHD risk factors, over half of them had cholesterol >5.2mmol/l. The main problem among Hong Kong Chinese is borderline hypercholesterolaemia which is most significant in people with additional CHD risk factors. Cholesterol screening will be more costeffective if directed to people known to have other CHD risk factors but may not be worthwhile for the low risk group.