PLASMA-LIPID LEVELS OF A SELECTED SAUDI-ARABIAN POPULATION IN THE WESTERN REGION

The plasma lipid profiles of 3616 (2294 males and 1322 females) random ly selected Saudi Arabian citizens in the Western region are described in the present study. The mean levels of plasma total cholesterol (TC ) and triglycerides (TG) were 184 and 136 mg/dl. respectively for the normal males and 177 and 125 mg/dl, respectively for the normal female s. Diabetic (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients had higher levels of TC and TG. HDL-Cholesterol was significantly lower in DM and CVD patients of both sexes, whereas LDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in CVD male and female patients. Plasma levels of TC and TG we re strongly correlated with all parameters (age, systolic and diastoli c blood pressure, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, uric acid and glucose) amo ng CVD patients; whereas positive correlations were only seen between TC and TG, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol in normal subjects. The atherogeni c index was significantly increased in CVD male and female patients ac cording to their age levels. The mean plasma levels of TC and LDL-chol esterol were significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers. The pre sent results indicate that apart from TC levels which were found to be considerably lower than those of Western nations, other plasma lipid levels of the Saudi Arabian population are comparable with those of ot her populations.