Serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations of Finns and Finnish Lapps. II. Interpopulation comparisons and occurrence of hyperlipidemia.

Only small differences in serum cholesterol means and somewhat larger, but still modest differences in log(TG) means were observed, when seven Finnish population groups were compared. Semiurban and industrial groups had the highest triglyceride levels. Cholesterol levels tended to be lower in South Finland than in East or North Finland and lowest in semiurban population groups. Between 15-59 years of age, rural Finns of both sexes had higher and after this age lower cholesterol means than the Finns in the other population groups. The highest cholesterol levels below the age of 60 were observed in a rural population group in East Finland. The Finnish Lapps and the rural Finns had nearly identical serum lipid levels in spite of the differences in genetic background and way of life. The serum lipid concentration means were quite similar to those reported from the other Nordic countries, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The differences between the populations of the Nordic countries are no larger than those observed between the Finnish population groups. However, no population in Scandinavia or elsewhere can confidently be said to have higher serum lipid levels than the Finns. The similarity of the lipid levels observed in different areas in Finland and in the larger Nordic area is remarkable in view of the large differences in the incidence of coronary heart disease and in mortality rates. It is conceivable that part of the variations in disease rates is attributable to differences in the prevalence of hyperlipidemias, although the present study does not prove this hypothesis. Such differences could occur in spite of similarities in the lipid concentration means. Prevalences of hyperlipidemias in Finland are given.