Lipid distribution in the adult population of Catalonia

BACKGROUND: High concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol and low concentrations of HDL-cholesterol are related to morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. In this study, lipid concentration, prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and the association between hypercholesterolemia and other cardiovascular risk factors was investigated in a random sample of adult population of Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: A random sample of adult population of Catalonia aged 16 or more years was obtained. The sample was of 314 individuals, 156 men and 158 women. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were determined. Other cardiovascular risk factors were investigated: hypertension, smoking, body mass index, history of diabetes, and history of coronary heart disease. RESULTS: Total and LDL-cholesterol levels were similar in both sexes, with a mean of 211 mg/dl for the first 140 mg/dl for the latter. In contrast, triglyceride levels were higher in men (95 mg/dl) than in women (70 mg/dl), and HDL-cholesterol levels were higher in women (60 mg/dl) than in men (51 mg/dl) (p or = 240 mg/dl in 25% of men and 24% of women. Individuals with hypercholesterolemia had a higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity and diabetes was than normocholesterolemic individuals. The odds ratio was 3.68 for hypertension, 1.89 for obesity and 1.99 for diabetes. The adjusted odds ratio was statistically significant for hypertension (OR adj. = 2.77). CONCLUSION: The distribution of lipid values observed in the adult population of Catalonia was similar to that observed in other Mediterranean populations.