[Classification of hyperlipidemia in a worksite population in Japan using criteria of the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program].

Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor of arteriosclerotic diseases. In Japan, as heart disease and cerebrovascular disorders rank second and third as the causes of death, demand has intensified for measures to prevent these diseases. In the U.S., the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) was initiated as a means to prevent CHD by reducing th prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. Since 1988, this program has demonstrated effectiveness in this regard. In Japan, there are no consistent guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia such as are espoused by the NCEP. In this study, in an endeavor to resolve this problem, a worksite population (1343 adult males) was classified according to the NCEP guidelines and the role and effectiveness of NCEP in this population were studied. A questionnaire concerning life-style and some biochemical findings were also used to classify the subjects according to the NCEP guidelines. Of the subjects, 22.8% were classified as hypercholesterolemic (> or = 240 mg/dl) and another 34.9% as being borderline high risk (> or = 200 < 240 mg/dl). Twenty-five percent of subjects required diet or drug therapy. The percentage of subjects requiring therapeutic intervention increased with age. The therapy group subjects tended to have a larger number of risk factors compared to the normal group. They also featured a significantly high age-adjusted odds ratios for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and elevated serum triglyceride. This study suggests that in the health management of those in the therapy group, educational instruction on coronary risk factors is required.