Table 1 Characteristics of subjects in the Malmö diet and cancer (MDC) cohort in relation to immigration status, at the baseline examination 1991-1996

Mean age (years)

58.2 ± 7.6

56.9 ± 7.2

< 0.001

Men (%)

38.4

39.1

< 0.001

Waist circumference (cm)

84 ± 15

85 ± 10

< 0.001

SBP (mmHg)

141 ± 20

140 ± 20

< 0.001

DBP (mmHg)

86 ± 10

85 ± 13

0.426

Leukocytes (10⁹ /L)

6.4 ± 2.2

6.5 ± 3.5

0.183

Hypertension (%)

40.5

38.6

< 0.001

Use of BP-lowering medications (%)*

41.1

40.1

< 0.001

Use of lipid-lower medications (%)

2.4

2.1

0.279

Diabetes (%)

2.8

3.3

< 0.001

Current smoker (%)

27.9

31.0

< 0.001

High alcohol consumption (%)

4.2

5.2

0.015

Low physical activity (%)

24.5

28.4

< 0.001

Low educational level (%)

42.1

35.3

< 0.001

Married (%)

65.7

62.3

< 0.001