title: Influence of biological factors on lipid and fibrinogen measurements in young men. An epidemiological study in 2009 recruits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to detect significant relationships between lipid and fibrinogen measurements and several biological factors in young men.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medical history was obtained, and plasma lipids, lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen levels were measured in 2009 male Greek army recruits (mean age 22.37+/-3.03 years) not taking any drugs. Plasma levels were as follows: total cholesterol, 171+/-34 mg x dl(-1), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 111+/-34 mg x dl(-1), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 45+/-10 mg x dl(1), and triglycerides, 74+/-32 mg x dl(-1). Lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen were 18+/-13 and 278+/-67 mg x dl(-1). The atherosclerotic index, calculated as the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL, was 4+/-1. Analysis of multivariate models that included potentially confounding factors revealed the following: body mass index, season of year during which blood examinations were performed, alcohol consumption, and place of residence were found to be significantly associated with plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fibrinogen and the atherosclerotic index in the pooled population. Season and physical activity were significantly associated with HDL-cholesterol, whereas season and family history of acute myocardial infarction were associated with triglycerides levels. Body mass index, family history of myocardial infarction and physical activity were associated with lipoprotein (a).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Body mass index, season, alcohol consumption and place of residence are markers of plasma lipid profile and fibrinogen in young men. A family history of acute myocardial infarction and physical activity are related to lipoprotein (a).
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Hippokration Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitsavos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skoumas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dernellis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toutouza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doulalas
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toutouzas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D005340:Fibrinogen