ABSTRACT
114 consecutive patients with chronic occlusive arterial disease of lower limbs (COADL) had their serum lipid pattern compared with that of 62 controls. 53 had abnormal lipids and 36 multiple abnormalities emphasising the common prevalence of atherosclerosis among patients with COADL in Sri Lanka. 48.6% of patients under 40 years had a lipid abnormality. Smoking and lipid disorders were the main risk factors in the under 50 age group. 14 of 16 patients with aortic occlusions and five of eight patients under 45 years with iliac disease had lipid disorders. 21 of 50 patients with femoropopliteal occlusive disease also had lipid disorders. A consistent dominant lipid disorder affecting most, was not found. Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was found to be the commonest abnormality. Serum lipid studies are advocated for those with aortoiliac and femoropopliteal disease.