Concentración de colesterol plasmático; prevalencia y factores asociados con hipercolesterolemia. Estudio transversal en la Unidad de Diagnóstico Médica Sur

Epidemiological studies in different socioeconomic groups and regions of Mexico have shown that significant differences in serum cholesterol values exist between them. In those regions with higher cholesterol values a there is a greater prevalence of diseases associated with atheroesclerosis. Considering this heterogeneous background, we performed a prospective study that included 2,111 apparently healthy individuals, to determine the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (HC) and clinical associations. Two groups were formed according to cholesterol values > 240 mg/dL and under < 200 mg/dL. All participants in the study answered a questionnaire that included demographic data, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, contraceptive use and presence of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. Serum lipid profile and liver ultrasound were performed in all individuals. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to explore associations, prevalence of HC in this population was 23.6%. Mean serum cholesterol in women was 204 ‐ 48 mg/dL (X ‐ DE) and 214 ‐ 45 mg/dL in men. A positive association was found between HC and male sex, Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.90, age (OR = 1.047), obesity (OR = 1.78) Ad hypertrigliceridemia (OR = 10.25). This prevalence in inferior to that reported from Finland or USA.