Serum Lipid Profile among Old Dhaka and New Dhaka Bangladeshi Population
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Abstract
Background: Dyslipidemia is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and significantly contributes to global morbidity and mortality. South Asian populations show distinctive lipid abnormalities linked to high cardiometabolic risk. Bangladesh is rapidly urbanizing, but intra-urban variations in lipid profiles are underexplored. This study compared serum lipid profiles of residents in Old Dhaka and New Dhaka.
Methods: This cross-sectional comparative observational study was conducted in the outpatient departments of Bangladesh Medical College Hospital, Dhaka and Enam Medical College Hospital, Savar, Dhaka in New Dhaka and Millennium Specialized Hospital Ltd. Sutrapur in Old Dhaka, from March 2024 to January 2025. The study included Bangladeshi adults attending these facilities for routine lipid profile evaluations. A total of 1500 participants were enrolled, with 750 from each region. Fasting serum total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides were measured using standardized enzymatic methods. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel with independent t-tests and 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Mean total cholesterol did not differ significantly between Old and New Dhaka (200.0 ± 45.5 vs 197.3 ± 101.0 mg/dL; p=0.513). HDL (45.4 ± 17.3 vs 40.6 ± 10.0 mg/dL; p<0.001), LDL (127.7 ± 58.3 vs 109.3 ± 43.0 mg/dL; p<0.001) and triglycerides (237.2 ± 169.7 vs 219.0 ± 176.9 mg/dL; p=0.042) were significantly higher in Old Dhaka. These differences persisted across sex and age strata.
Conclusion: Significant intra-urban disparities in atherogenic lipoproteins were observed, with Old Dhaka residents demonstrating less favorable lipid profiles. Targeted cardiovascular risk assessment and region-specific preventive strategies are warranted.