Total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in relation to socioeconomic status in a sample of 11,645 Greek adults: the EPIC study in Greece

Objective: To examine the relationship between educational level, a powerfu l indicator of socioeconomic status in Greece, total cholesterol and HDL-ch olesterol in a large sample of Greek adults. Methods. The study sample cons isted of 11,645 subjects, 4,398 men and 7,247 women, aged 23-86 years, who voluntarily participated in the Greek component of the EPIC study during 19 94-98. Educational attainment was divided into low, medium, and high. Linea r regression analyses were performed, in men and women separately, using to tal and HDL-cholesterol as dependent variables and educational level as ind ependent, while controlling for age. Results: Total blood cholesterol value s are inversely associated with educational level in both genders, a patter n contrasting with that found 20 years ago. The association is more promine nt among women. HDL-cholesterol values are inversely associated with educat ional level in men, whereas the association is less consistent in women.