PREVALENCE OF HYPERAPOBETALIPOPROTEINEMIA AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE PHENOTYPE EXPRESSION IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG-ADULTS - THE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN YOUNG FINNS STUDY

Hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (hyperapoB) is one of the most common phen otypes in patients with premature coronary heart disease. In this stud y the factors that affect the expression of the hyperapoB phenotype we re evaluated in young individuals. A cohort of 1125 children and young adults aged 9-24 years was classified into three groups by sex: (1) n ormal serum apolipoprotein B (apoB), (2) high apoB (greater than or eq ual to 90th percentile) and normal low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C < 90th), (3) high apoB and high LDL-C (greater than or equal t o 90th percentile). In females, alcohol use (11, 33, 0%, in groups 1-3 , P < 0.05) and oral contraceptive use (35, 83, 47%, P < 0.01) were si gnificantly different between the groups and the highest frequencies w ere seen in the hyperapoB group (group 2). In both sexes smoking tende d to be more common in the hyperapoB group (29, 43, 18%, P = 0.14). Th e two hyperapoB definition criteria (high apoB and low LDL-C/apoB rati o) were studied with multiple linear regression analyses. Oral contrac eptive use correlated positively with apoB values (coefficient beta = 0.101, R(2) = 2.1%, P < 0.01) and negatively with LDL-C/apoB ratio (be ta = -0.134, R(2) = 3.3%, P < 0.001). Alcohol use (beta = -0.072, R(2) = 2.9%, P < 0.001) and smoking (beta = -0.050, R(2) = 1.0%, P < 0.05) correlated negatively with LDL-C/apoB ratio. Prevalence of the hypera poB phenotype was 4.4%. According to the results, the expression of th e hyperapoB phenotype may be influenced by common lifestyle habits. Th is should be considered if high risk young individuals are identified through the expression of the hyperapoB phenotype.