AN EFFECT OF POSTURE ON THE LIPID PROFILE

Small differences in serum lipid measurements affect the evaluation of cardiovascular risk. Although national laboratory standards are set a t high levels for accuracy and precision, several factors that may inf luence lipid reports are neglected. In this study, 25 subjects were as ked to remain seated for 20 minutes after standing for 10 minutes. Blo od samples were extracted from each subject immediately on sitting and at the end of the 20-minute sitting period. Lipid fraction measuremen ts for the second set of samples were reduced by approximately 3% to 7 % compared with the corresponding measurements for the first set (P < 0.001). These results suggest the need to consider time spent sitting while awaiting venipuncture as a significant parameter in lipid evalua tion.