Lipid and lipoprotein measurements in a normal, adult Cuban population.

An attempt was made to determine the normal reference values of lipid- and lipoprotein levels (cholesterol), triglycerides, cholesterol in high- and low-density lipoproteins) in a selected, apparently healthy, Cuban population. Results were expressed as mean, and various percentiles of measured values; two ratios: Risk 1 (LDL-C/HDL-C) and Risk 2 (TC/HDL-C) were also calculated. Approximately 40% of the subjects aged 20 to 30 years had cholesterol values above 200 mg/dl. Females had significantly higher cholesterol HDL-C values than males, whereas the concentrations of LDL-C and LDL were higher in males. Risk 2 ratios were elevated in males. A correlation was shown between lipid levels and age. There was a strong negative correlation between HDL-C and relative body weight. It is suggested that obesity might be an individual risk factor in the population studied.