title: A pilot study of community cholesterol screening.
abstract: We tested the feasibility and effectiveness of population cholesterol screening in a California shopping center. Total plasma cholesterol (TC) was measured in 429 adults from capillary blood samples, using automatic analyzers (Reflotron). A self-administered questionnaire was used to ascertain demographic variables, lifestyle, and knowledge about cholesterol and heart disease. According to NIH Consensus Conference criteria, 20% of all screenees showed moderate or high risk TC levels, but over half of these had a history of hypercholesterolemia prior to testing. Follow-up of all screenees with TC levels at 220 mg/dl and greater revealed that 32% had been compliant with our advice to contact their physician. Physicians expressed no concern in 71% of those with TC elevation of 220-239 mg% and in 30% of those with TC levels 240+ mg%. Of all participants, 40% reported dietary changes in response to the screening; 78% of this group, however, made changes without a physician's advice. In our experience community cholesterol screening is popular and feasible. Efficacy, however, must be improved by better education of physician and the public.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of California, San Diego.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheidt-Nave
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barrett-Connor
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Criqui
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Khaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008403:Mass Screening; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015397:Program Evaluation
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol