RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Universal screening of serum cholesterol levels in adults has been recommended but not achieved. We were interested in factors that affected screening rates, and whether obese patients were more likely to have elevated cholesterol levels than other patients in our practice. METHODS: A sequential sample of charts was reviewed for height, weight, race, sex, diagnosis of hypertension or diabetes, and evidence of cholesterol screening. RESULTS: Of 604 adult patients, 32% had serum cholesterol measurements. No correlation was found between weight or body mass index and cholesterol levels. Patients with hypertension or diabetes were more frequently screened. Sex and race did not influence screening rates. CONCLUSIONS: In this population neither weight nor body mass index was associated with elevated serum cholesterol levels, suggesting that screening must be offered without regard to level of obesity in order to find those patients who will benefit from intervention.
