Smoking and Lipid Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Vietnamese Refugees in Australia

Abstract

Background.The effects of smoking and sex on lipid risk factors for cardiovascular disease were examined among Vietnamese people newly arrived in Australia.Methods.Immigrants recruited through Refugee Screening had anthropometric data recorded and blood collected to measure total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) by Reflotron; apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-1) and apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B) by immunoturbidimetric analyses (Turbitimer); and lipoprotein (a) (LP (a)) by ELISA. A questionnaire determined behavioral variables known to influence cardiovascular risk and Statview, Minitab, and SPSS were employed for data analysis.Results.Lipoprotein profiles of men (n= 242) and women (n= 159) were compared. Crude TC and apo B were similar; HDL, apo A-1, and LP (a) were higher in women, TG was higher in men. After adjustment (age, BMI, WHR, years of smoking, and drinks per week), only apo A-1 and LP (a), were higher in women. “At risk” levels of TC or apo B did not differ by gender; risk of low apo A-1 was higher among men. Smokers had a significant risk (crude and adjusted) of low HDL, low apo A-1, and high LP (a). The sex difference in HDL was removed by a single adjustment for smoking; male smokers had higher LP (a) than male nonsmokers.Conclusion.Male and female Vietnamese immigrants had similar adjusted lipid profiles. Smoking had a marked detrimental effect on lipids.