Levels of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, apoproteins A-I and B, and plasma glucose, and prevalence of diastolic hypertension and cigarette smoking in Papua New Guinea highlanders.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is rare in Papua New Guinea (PNG) highlanders. Fifty-two men and 69 women randomly selected from three rural communities and a low socioeconomic urban community in the Eastern Highlands Province were assessed for hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, diastolic hypertension and cigarette smoking. There was no significant difference between the findings in the rural and urban groups. The mean fasting levels of serum cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and apoproteins A-I and B were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than those of rural Australians in a comparative study but the serum triglyceride levels were significantly higher in men less than 30 yr and women less than 40 yr of age. There was no significant difference in the serum cholesterol levels in men and women, and the levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride did not rise with age. The mean fasting levels of plasma glucose were generally lower in PNG subjects and only two (1.7%) had diabetes mellitus. The proportions of highlanders who had diastolic hypertension or who smoked cigarettes were similar to those of Australian populations generally. The low incidence of CHD in PNG highlanders is probably related to the low serum cholesterol and apoprotein B levels, in turn probably related to their basically vegetarian diet and physically active life-style.