Comparison of cardiovascular risk factors between sri lankans living in kandy and oslo

Data on non fasting serum lipids, blood pressure, anthropometrics and socio demographics of Sri Lankan Tamils from two almost similar population based cross sectional studies in Oslo, Norway between 2000 and 2002 (1145 participants) and Kandy, Sri Lanka in 2005 (233 participants) were compared. Combined data were analyzed using linear regression analyses.Men and women in Oslo had higher HDL cholesterol. Men and women from Kandy had higher Total/HDL cholesterol ratios. Mean waist circumference and body mass index was higher in Oslo. Smoking among men was low (19.2% Oslo, 13.1% Kandy, P = 0.16). None of the women smoked. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in Kandy than in Oslo.Our comparison showed unexpected differences in risk factors between Sri Lankan migrants living in Oslo and those living in Kandy Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans in Oslo had favorable lipid profiles and blood pressure levels despite being more obese.Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile of South Asians living in western countries is characterized by low High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, central obesity and increased diabetes mellitus together with higher rates of myocardial infarctions, re-infarctions and higher mortality rates from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) [1-4]. By grouping South Asians together, some studies may have overlooked inherent differences amongst them [2].At present South Asia is experiencing a rapid increase in CVD particularly in the urban areas and among higher socioeconomic classes [5-10]. Studies comparing migrant Indians in UK and USA with those living in India observe migrants having higher mean total cholesterol, triglycerides and Body Mass Index (BMI) but no consistent difference in HDL [11,12].In Sri Lanka coronary heart disease (CHD) is a main cause of morbidity and mortality [13,14]. Sri Lankan studies suggest concentration of risk factors in urban areas and higher socioeconomic classes with an increasing prevalence among younger