title: Gender differences in the lipid profile of dyslipidemic subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the gender-associated differences in lipid profile of subjects intended to receive lipid-lowering therapy with emphasis on the associations between triglycerides (TG) and other plasma lipid variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lipid profiles of 1385 patients [aged 55+/-11 years, 549 women (40%)] were evaluated. Eligible subjects fulfilled one or more of the following criteria: total cholesterol (TC)>or=6.2 mmol/l, TG>or=1.7 mmol/l, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)<1.0 mmol/l. Patients were divided into subgroups according to TG and HDL-C levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women aged on average 3.5 years older, had higher TC and HDL-C, lower TG and a correspondingly lower TC/HDL-C ratio than men. High TG and low HDL-C in tandem appeared twice more frequently in men. Inverse correlations between HDL-C and TG levels were found to exist in the entire cohort (r=-0.354, p<0.001) and in all various subgroups. In the subgroup with TG<1.7 mmol/l, women had higher TC and HDL-C, lower TG levels and lower TC/HDL-C ratio compared with men. In the subgroup with TG>or=1.7 mmol/l, women had higher TC and HDL-C levels and lower TC/HDL ratio compared with men. In the subgroup with HDL-C>or=1.0 mmol/l women had higher HDL-C, lower TG levels and lower TC/HDL-C ratio compared with men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated TG levels and low HDL-C in tandem are common lipid abnormalities in the clinical setting of primary and secondary preventions. Gender-associated differences in the lipid profile are evident in subjects presenting with dyslipidemia and might be of potential relevance for diagnostics and therapy for the prevention of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Genovefa D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: Katherine K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulou
authors.forename: Dimitris S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Damaskos
authors.forename: Helen I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Bilianou
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mihas
authors.forename: Haralampos J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Milionis
authors.forename: Peggy M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kostakou
authors.forename: Dennis V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Cokkinos