Dietary and drug treatment of hyperlipidaemia. A feasibility study in asymptomatic middle-aged men.

83 middle-aged men with different types of hyperlipoproteinaemia were recruited from a health examination survey. They were treated with diet for 3 months and with diet and drugs in combination over a 2-year period (63 men used drugs). The serum lipid reductions after the dietary period were 14% and 27% for serum cholesterol and triglycerides, respectively. After 2 years the corresponding reductions were 21% and 42%, indicating an additional effect of diet and drugs. There was an average body weight reduction of 4.3% during the first 3 months which was maintained over the 2-year period. Special considerations in treating asymptomatic individuals are discussed.