Vnitr Lek 2004, 50(8):584-586

[Serum lipids in drug addicts].

H Wilczek, R Ceska, L Zlatohlávek: III. interní klinika 1. lékarské fakulty UK a VFN, Praha.

UNLABELLED: The background and aim is to study profile of serum lipids in drug addicts using heroin.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The study involved 107 drug addicts using heroin (83 men and 24 women). Mean age was 29.3 years (variation 20-47 years). Mean time of using heroin was 6.5 years. Serum lipids (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol) were measured using enzyme methods. LDL-cholesterol and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated. All parameters were significantly decreased (mean levels of total cholesterol 4.31, triacylglycerol 1.29, HDL-cholesterol 1.08 and LDL-cholesterol 2.70 mmol/l). Levels of HDL-cholesterol under 1.0 mmol/l were found in 32%. Statistical measurments were performed by t-test and results compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONS: Levels of HDL-cholesterol lower than 1.0 mmol/l (32%) are of importance and patients must be further controlled.