INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL FACTORS ON LIPID AND FIBRINOGEN MEASUREMENTS IN YOUNG MEN - AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY IN 2009 RECRUITS

Aims The aim of the present study was to detect significant relationsh ips between lipid and fibrinogen measurements and several biological f actors in young men. Methods and results Medical history was obtained, and plasma lipids, lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen levels were measure d in 2009 male Greek army recruits (mean age 22.37 +/- 3.03 years) not taking any drugs. Plasma levels were as follows: total cholesterol, 1 71 +/- 34 mg . dl(-1), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 111 +/- 34 mg . dl(-1), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 45 +/- 10 mg . dl(1), and triglycerides, 74 +/- 32 mg . dl(-1). Lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen were 18 +/- 13 and 278 +/- 67 mg . dl(-1). The athe rosclerotic index, calculated as the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL, w as 4 +/- 1. Analysis of multivariate models that included potentially confounding factors revealed the following: body mass index, season of year during which blood examinations were performed, alcohol consumpt ion, and place of residence were found to be significantly associated with plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fibrinogen a nd the atherosclerotic index in the pooled population. Season and phys ical activity were significantly associated with HDL-cholesterol, wher eas season and family history of acute myocardial infarction were asso ciated with triglycerides levels. Body mass index, family history of m yocardial infarction and physical activity were associated with lipopr otein (a). \ Conclusion Body mass index, season, alcohol consumption a nd place of residence are markers of plasma lipid profile and fibrinog en in young men. A family history of acute myocardial infarction and p hysical activity are related to lipoprotein (a).