Distribution of apoB/apoA-1 ratio and blood lipids in Sami, Kven and Norwegian populations: the SAMINOR study.

Objectives: To assess the distribution of blood lipids, lipoprotein and apoB/apoA-1 ratio in a multi-ethnic population of Sami, Kvens and Norwegians in Norway. Study design. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 2003-2004 in an area with a mixed Sami, Kvens/Finns and Norwegian population, the SAMINOR study.
Methods: A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apoB and apoA-1 counts were analysed in 6461 women and 5772 men between the ages of 36 and 79.
Results: In 36-64 age group, Sami men and women had the highest apoB/apoA-1 ratio of the ethnic groups. The ethnic differences remained after adjustment for waist hip ratio, cigarette smoking, systolic and diastolic pressures, alcohol consumption, physical activity during leisure time and family history of myocardial infarction (MI). There were no significant ethnic differences in apoB/apoA-1 ratio in the older age group. Total cholesterol was significantly lower among Sami men and women, aged 65-79 years, than among the Norwegian. The opposite occurred in the 36-49 age group, with higher levels in the Sami population. We found no ethnic differences in HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Conclusions: Middle-aged Sami women and men have increased levels of apoB/apoA-1 ratio and total cholesterol compared with Norwegians.