High incidence of dyslipidaemia in the offspring of Greek men with premature coronary artery disease.

AIM

The present study aimed to assess the incidence and type of lipid disorders in the offspring of young Greek coronary patients.

METHODS

One hundred and ninety-three children and youngsters were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 104 children whose fathers had sustained a myocardial infarction before the age of 55 years. Eighty-nine young subjects matched for age, gender, dietary and smoking habits without a familial history of coronary artery disease served as controls (group B). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) were measured in the children and the affected fathers.

RESULTS

Fifty-three percent of the offspring of young coronary patients had elevated total cholesterol or elevated triglycerides or decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol or a combination, while the 80.4% of the affected fathers had lipid disorders. The distribution of lipid disorders in the children bore a striking resemblance to those seen in their affected fathers and there was a significant correlation between offspring-father total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a). When excess lipoprotein(a) was added to the lipid disorders the incidence of dyslipidaemia in the offspring of the affected individuals was increased to 63.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyslipidaemia is very common in the offspring of Greek men with premature coronary artery disease; this occurrence emphasizes the need always to evaluate the lipid profile in these children. The detection of dyslipidaemia necessitates the early institution of preventive measures with the expectation that the incidence of cardiovascular disease will decrease later in life.