Serum cholesterol in Wisconsin epidemiologic study of diabetic retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe serum total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in a sample of people with diabetes.


METHODS
Subjects were those who participated in the 1984-1986 Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy. Data were from three groups of subjects: 304 younger-onset and 185 older-onset people taking insulin and 162 older-onset individuals not taking insulin. Serum lipids, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin, diastolic blood pressure, sex, age, serum creatinine, units of insulin per kilogram per day, smoking status, serum C-peptide level, and alcohol use were analyzed statistically.


RESULTS
In subjects taking insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin was correlated most strongly with total cholesterol. In those not taking insulin, C-peptide was correlated most strongly. In subjects taking insulin, the units used per day (fewer) and sex (female) were significantly associated with higher HDL cholesterol, and in both older-onset groups, serum C-peptide was significantly associated with lower HDL cholesterol. Mean total cholesterol levels were generally higher and mean HDL cholesterol levels were generally lower than those found in a nondiabetic comparison group.


CONCLUSIONS
By the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines, 17% of younger-onset and 30% of older-onset insulin users and 32% of older-onset subjects not taking insulin were in the high-risk range for total cholesterol. Lower levels of glycosylated hemoglobin might result in lower cholesterol levels.
Klein
B E
BE
University of Wisconsin, Department of Ophthalmology, Madison 53792.
Moss
S E
SE
Klein
R
R
Surawicz
T S
TS
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D002784:Cholesterol; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D003404:Creatinine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin