Relevance of cholesterol screening in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The incidence of ischemic heart disease is rising rapidly in many of the affluent Arab countries and it is known that hypercholesterolemia is a well established risk factor for coronary artery disease. This community-based study was undertaken to determine if elevated cholesterol is a problem in the United Arab Emirates in order to be able to evaluate the contribution of cholesterol as a risk factor for atherosclerosis in this environment. Volunteers were recruited at busy urban public sites. Data on age, sex, nationality, weight, blood pressure and smoking history were collected, and blood samples were taken for estimation of total cholesterol, hemoglobin and individual blood group. A raw data set was developed, with calculation of body mass index and subsequent statistical analysis carried out on a PC using the SPSS programme. In the 834 patients, there were 19 nationalities represented which were pooled into 7 groups (5 Arab and 2 non Arab) according to their ethnic origins. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia varied from 47.2-53% in the Arab Nationals and from 22.7 to 44.5% in the non Arabs. The mean cholesterol levels of the Arab subgroups were similar and showed no difference, statistically. However, they were significantly higher than non Arabs, i.e. Indians (p < 0.001) and Iranians (p < 0.001). Similarly, within the Arab subgroups, the median cholesterol levels were no different but were higher than the non Arabs, i.e. Indians (p < 0.05) and Iranians (p < 0.001). No statistical difference was found in the distribution of cholesterol (high, borderline high or desirable levels) among the seven ethnic groups. Hypercholesterolemia appears to be a problem in most nationalities living within the UAE. Overall, it afflicts nearly 50% of the adult population. Although the ethnic Arab groupings have a wide range of socioeconomic attributes, the similarity of the distribution of cholesterol may point to an underlying innate genetic etiology or an environmental cause such as dietary overindulgence, or both. Urgent public health measures such as education, case finding and further screening programs are required.

Cardiovascular Disease in the Asia Middle East Region: Global Trends and Local Implications

“…15 It seems clear that the recent rapid wealth brought along a sedentary lifestyle and plentiful unhealthy diet, thereby resulting in an epidemic of obesity and the associated increased risk of CVD. 16,17 Interestingly the prevalence of tobacco smoking among the native population is relatively low, whereas that of hypertension is comparable with other neighboring regions. As for the expatriate populations, there seems to be higher prevalence of tobacco smoking and hypertension, especially among those of lower economic status with office-based work and larger families.…”

Association of risk factors with acute myocardial infarction in Middle Eastern countries: the INTERHEART Middle East study

“…7 The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 56 % in Bahrain 8 and 48% in Oman, 7 while the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 47% in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 9 In Egypt, the proportion of deaths due to CVD increased from 12.4% of total deaths in 1970 to 42.5% in 1990. 6 However, there are no data that we are aware of relating the risk factors to CVD from the ME countries.…”

Hypercholesterolemia Among Apparently Healthy University Students

“…15,16 Agarwal and his group found that more than 50% of Asian Arabs living in the United Arab Emirates are hypercholesterolemic. 17 Also, 37% of Kuwaiti men over the age of 45 years are obese and 52% had elevated or high cholesterol levels. .18 Al-Nuaim and his team reported that hypercholesterolemia to be 16% and 19% among Saudi males and females, respectively.…”