AGE-DEPENDENCE OF PARAMETERS OF LIPID-MET ABOLISM - SCREENING INVESTIGATIONS ON POPULATION BASIS

Measurement of concentrations of total cholesterol, high density lipop rotein (HDL)-cholesterol and Lp(a) was carried out within a screening project on population basis including 3014 men and 5529 women of the t own Leipzig. The age of the participants varied from 18 to 99 years. T he aim of this population-based strategy was to identify individuals w ith elevated risk with regard to atherosclerotic diseases. There is an age dependence with a maximum of the ratio total cholesterol/HDL chol esterol in the age group 61-70 years. Between the ages 50 and 70 years , mean total cholesterol levels in women exceed those of men. Postmeno pausal women show higher LP(a) concentrations than premenopausal women . The observed age dependence of lipid profile may be the result of bo th intrinsic as well as of environmental factors which are characteris tic for industrialized societies.