Affiliation:
1. II. Belgyógyászat-Kardiológia, Békés Megyei Pándy Kálmán Kórház Gyula, Semmelweis u. 1., 5700
2. Háziorvosi Rendelő Méhkerék
Abstract
Introduction: There are only limited data about the change of cholesterol levels at population level in Hungary. Aim: The aim of the authors was to compare current serum cholesterol levels to those measured 20 years ago in residents of a village in Békés County, Hungary. Method: Using a database of a general ptactitioner, serum cholesterol levels of 778 persons who participated in a screening program in 1994 in the village Méhkerék in Békés County were compared to those obtained 20 years later from 392 randomly selected persons matching age and gender. Results: The serum total cholesterol level of persons over 50 years was decreased by 5.9%, from 5.94±1.41 to 5.59±1.33 mmol/L (p≤0.01), while it remained unchanged in persons younger than 50 years of age. Conclusions: The decrease of serum cholesterol level observed in patients over 50 years of age can be a consequence of the widely used lipid lowering medication. The lack of change in persons below 50 years of age draws the attention that principles of primary prevention (diet, regular physical activity) should be used more consistently, and medical therapy should be applied when it is recommended by the guidelines. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(40), 1614–1617.