Lipid profiles in Polish adolescents from high- and low-risk families: tracking unfavourable lipid levels over a one-year period

In a country with a high cardiovascular mortality rate, lipid profiles were studied in 929 adolescents (440 from affected and 489 from non-affected fa milies for cardiovascular disease and hypercholesterolaemia). In 334 childr en with elevated or borderline total cholesterol level, lipid profiles were re-measured after a 1-y period. In boys from affected Families, in contras t to buys from non-affected families, significantly higher total cholestero l levels (4.36 +/- 0.81 vs 4.19 +/- 0.78 mmol/L, p < 0.05) and LDL-C level (2.1 +/- 0.72 vs 1.89 +/- 0.79 mmol/L. p < 0.05) and significantly lower HD L-cholesterol levels (1.81 +/- 0.34 vs 1.93 +/- 9.38 mmol/L, p < 0.05) were found. The odds ratio for being in the most unfavourable decile for LDL-ch olesterol was significantly higher for girls from affected families (2.17, p = 0.02). A relatively high HDL-C level as well as a favourable TC/HDL-C r atio was demonstrated in all groups, being lowest in boys from affected fam ilies. A significant correlation was found between baseline lipids and thei r values re-measured after 1 y. It is concluded that (1) adolescents with a positive family history are at increased risk for unfavourable lipid profile, (2) adolescents with elevate d total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels remain hypercholesterolaemic after a 1-y period and are therefore candidates for further biochemical an d clinical monitoring, and (3) children with elevated total cholesterol may not be at high risk for cardiovascular disease owing to the favourable TC/ HDL-C ratio. The study results do not indicate that general cholesterol scr eening in Polish adolescents: is necessary, as the proportion of children w ith elevated LDL-cholesterol is relatively low.