Serum lipid distribution and mortality in Belgium.

During the year 1982 serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 and B levels were measured in 1319 male subjects (mean age 20 years) from different provinces of Belgium. The serum cholesterol level and the apolipoprotein B level were distinctly lower in Dutch-speaking than in French-speaking subjects. An increase of 1.1 mg% of total cholesterol was found per kg per consumer unit per year of butter consumed and a decrease of 1.1 mg% per kg per consumer unit per year of margarine consumed. The higher cholesterol value in French-speaking subjects correlated significantly with a high regional mortality from all causes and from ischaemic heart disease in male subjects of the 45-64-year age group. A 10 mg% difference in serum cholesterol at the age of 20 years corresponds with an increase in mortality from all causes of 20% and from ischaemic heart disease of 21%. A significant difference in log GGT (gamma glutamyl-transpeptidase)--possibly due to differences in alcohol consumption--was observed between the provinces of Belgium. The difference in cholesterol and apolipoprotein B level remained significant after adjustment for log GGT.