Non-HDL Cholesterol is a Good Predictor of the Risk for Hypertension among Dhimal Adults from Darjeeling in West Bengal, India

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is reported to be associated with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Objective of the present study was to evaluate differential magnitudes of association of lipid profile characteristics namely, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and non-HDL-C with hypertension among adults. In a cross-sectional study, participants were 94 adults aged 30-59 years (50 men and 44 women) representing Dhimal, an endogamous community in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Blood pressure (systolic or SBP and diastolic or DBP) has been recorded. The sample had equal number (n = 47) of normotensive and hypertensive individuals (25 men and 22 women in each group). Hypertension was diagnosed as SBP/DBP ≥140/90 mmHg. Prevalence of elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL), and reduced level of HDL-C (<40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women) were calculated. Binomial regression analysis predicted hypertension by the lipid profile parameters. Mean value of age of the participants was 42.05 years. No significant sex differences of mean values of characteristics were observed. In the sample (n = 94), mean values of SBP (126.95 mmHg), DBP (83.61 mmHg), TG (148.31 mg/dL) and LDL-C (104.55 mg/dL) were within normal limits. Mean value of HDL-C was low (34.10 mg/dL). Prevalence of Hypertriglyceridemia (53.76%), high LDL-C (23.66%), and low HLD-C (51.61%) were remarkable in the sample. Hypertensive individuals had higher mean values of TG, LDL-C, TC, and non-HDL-C in comparison with normotensive peers. Lipid parameters showed significant association with hypertension and non-HDL-C was the best predictor showing odds ratio (1.08), correct classification rate (76.34%), sensitivity (76.60), specificity (76.09) and 87% area under ROC curve.