Hypercholesterolemia and its related risk factors among Kurdish population in Duhok, Kurdistan region, Iraq

saeed mohammed sabri; SHERWAN FERMAN SALIH; DHIA JAAFAR  SALIH AL-TIMIMI

saeed mohammed sabri university of Duhok , college of medicine
SHERWAN FERMAN SALIH Department of Medical Chemistry, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, IRQ
DHIA JAAFAR SALIH AL-TIMIMI Department of Medical Chemistry, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, IRQ

Keywords: Serum cholestrol, hypercholesterolemia, prevalence, Kurdish population

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.31386/dmj.2025.19.1.6

Abstract

Background and objective: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major health problems in the world and their increasing prevalence is threatening the human health. Hypercholesterolemia represents one of the cardinal risk factors for cardiovascular diseases especially coronary artery disease; consequently, its recognition, treatment, and control have received a great deal of attention and become an important clinical and public health issue. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and investigate its risk factors in the Kurdish population of Duhok governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate serum cholesterol levels in a sample of asymptomatic Kurdish individuals attended out-patient department (OPD) of Medicine at Azadi General Teaching Hospital, Duhok city, Kurdistan region, Iraq; as attendant of patients. Participations were 616 permanent residents of Duhok Governorate aged 20 and over .Main outcome measures were serum lipid, glucose, glycated haemoglobin and thyroid stimulating hormone. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as serum cholesterol levels >240 mg/dl.

Results: The overall prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Kurdish population in Duhok was 39.12% (95% Cl 38.5 - 40.1) with prevalence values of 38.68 % (95% CI 35.17 - 41.33) in men and 39.61% (95% CI 38.40 - 47.38) in women. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was higher in urban residents than in rural residents (45.52% vs 30.32%, p=0.001). Moreover, Hypercholesterolemia prevalence was relatively low in individuals younger than 40 years for both men and women, and began to increase at the age of more than 40 year, then decreased at the age of 50 year for men and 60 years for women. Hypertension, alcohol consumption, obesity, hypothyroidism and diabetes were associated with an increased risk of hypercholesterolemia.

Conclusions: hypercholesterolemia prevalence is high among Kurdish population in Duhok governorate. Individuals over 40 years were identified as population at high risk for hypercholesterolemia.

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