title: A comparison of cardiovascular risk as measured by compound blood lipid indices and two indices including lifestyle factors in occupational health service.
abstract: Healthy employees in a non-manufacturing firm (n = 252) were divided into low and high cardiovascular risk subjects in order to compare different indices of cardiovascular risk for use in occupational health service. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), a compound index of blood lipid components, the 'atherogenic index' (ATH-index) defined as ([TC-HDLc] x [apoB])/([HDLc] x [apoA]), and two other compound indices, one Norwegian (Westlund) and one Scottish (Dundee score) were compared. Information on smoking habits and blood pressure were part of the two last indices. Cut-off values to separate between low and high risk subjects were defined with TC = 6.5 mmol/l, HDLc = 0.9 mmol/l, apoA = 1.8 g/l and apoB = 1.3 g/l, all values based on clinical guidelines in Norway. No smoking and a systolic blood pressure < 150 mmHg was included as cut-off of the combined indices. According to the three indices (ATH, Westlund and Dundee) 102, 25 and 116 employees were allocated to the increased risk group. Persons allocated to the increased risk group by the combined indices and not by the compound index were practically all smokers. Systolic blood pressure differed between indices only for persons with extreme pressures. A compound blood lipid index of CV risk, which may be drawn easily in an occupational health setting in an unfasting state and sent by post to a laboratory, mimics the allocation of persons to an increased risk group using combined indices. Smokers with normal lipid values would be allocated to increased risk by the combined indices, but not necessarily by the compound index. The use of the compound index together with advice to stop smoking is suggested as a time-saving strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, Norway.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D002784:Cholesterol