Trends in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) among Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic Adults with Normal Glycohemoglobin in the U.S., 2009–2014

Abstract

HDL-C, an independent cardiovascular risk factor, is often impacted by biological and environmental factors. Previous studies have observed lower HDL-C levels in Hispanics, with insulin resistance as a strong predictor; however, it is unclear how HDL-C changes over time. Using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014, we evaluated trends in HDL-C levels among 2,190 Hispanic and 7,429 non-Hispanic adults with glycohemoglobin levels <5.7%, stratified by age and gender. Baseline characteristics using survey methods are reported in Table 1. In terms of trends in HDL-C levels among the 3 NHANES waves, older non-Hispanic women had significantly higher levels in 2013-2014 vs. 2009-2010 (β 5.23, p<0.01), adjusted for BMI and smoking status. Also, Hispanics had significantly lower HDL-C levels, specially men (age 20-59: β 2.16 p=0.009, ≥60: β 5.p=0.046), but only borderline in Hispanic women (β 2.03, p=0.07). Sex-specific low HDL-C prevalence was not significantly different by race, although suggested in Hispanic women ≥60 y/o (OR 2.04, p=0.07). These data indicate that Hispanics have overall lower absolute HDL-C levels, a trend that did not improve across NHANES waves. Although stronger in men, our findings highlight the importance of age and gender on HDL-C among Hispanics and the need for further research as reports vary across studies. Table 1. Baseline Demographic Characteristics NHANES 2009-2014Hispanic Men (n=1,010; 49.54%)Hispanic Women (n=1,180; 50.46%)Hispanics, Total (n=2,190; N=20,016,409.4)Non-Hispanic Men (n=3,567; 47.94%)Non-Hispanic Women (n= 3,862; 52.06%)Non-Hispanics, Total (n= 7,429; N= 124,187,151)HDL-C mg/dl (mean ±SE)All Adults46.97±0.5355.5±0.4751.27±0.3949.32±0.3560.89±0.455.35±0.31HDL-C mg/dL(mean±SE)20-59 y/o46.85±0.5655.27±0.4851.07±0.4048.35±0.3460.19±0.4354.43±0.32HDL-C mg/dL(mean±SE) ≥60 y/o48.93±1.3658.56±1.3654.31±0.8854.18±0.9863.88±0.7959.55±0.75Low HDL-C n(%) All Adults(men <40 mg/dL, women <50 mg/dL)287 (27.72)424 (36.74)711 (32.27)880 (25.74)1,074 (25.26)1,954 (25.49)Low HDL-C n(%) 20-59 y/o248 (27.78)372 (37.24)620 (32.52)741 (27.34)898 (26.41)1,639 (26.86)Low HDL-C n(%) ≥60 y/o39 (26.6952 (29.82)91 (28.44)139 (17.73)176 (20.38)315 (19.19)Age yrs (mean ± SE)36.12±0.4036.89±0.4336.5±0.3343.26±0.4044.22±0.4043.8±0.42 Disclosure R.M. Calderon Moreno: None. M. Maldonado Fernandez: None. S. Vasunilashorn: None.