[Prevalence of hyperalphalipoproteinemia in the general population].

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is often incorrectly treated with no normal consensus being followed. The same occurs with hyperalphalipoproteinemias (HAL). The aim of the present was to know the prevalence of HAL in a sample of an adult general population and the theoretical percentage of the same which would be treated as hypercholesterolemia if the above cited entity is not appropriately diagnosed.

METHODS: A transversal study (November 1991-March 1992) was performed selecting a randomized sample representative of the adult population (13,224 individuals) from a basic health area (municipal census of 1991), and was stratified by groups of age and sex. The final sample was of 802 individuals who underwent anamnesis and in whom total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), cHDL and cLDL were determined. In agreement with the percentile 90 of the results of the Lipid Research Clinic Programs for each group of age and sex with normal number of cLDL (3.84 mmol/l, < 150 mg/dl) and TG (2.27 mmol/l, < 200 mg/dl) the percentage of the population with HAL was established. The theoretical percentage of the population which would be treated as hypercholesterolemia was found following the recommendations of the Spanish consensus without the cHDL and cLDL being calculated.

RESULTS: The prevalence of HAL was 7.8%, 92% being primary and 7.9 secondary. By ages the greatest frequency appeared in the group of 20-29 years (15.8%) and 30-39 years (8.4%) with male predominance (9%) with respect to females (6.8%). 63.5% had hypercholesterolemia. Treatment would be recommended to 661 individuals without need.

CONCLUSIONS: Hyperalphalipoproteinemia is a frequent entity in general population. Correct diagnosis would avoid unnecessary treatment in 5% of the population. The determination of cHDL is required before any hypolipemic treatment is initiated.