Ischaemic heart disease in men of productive age: comparison of epidemiological and morphological data.

Data obtained from a cross-sectional population study of men aged 20-54 years and results of a morphological epidemiological examination of the aorta and coronary arteries of 507 men aged 20-59 years, deceased from various causes in the city of Tallinn, were analysed to find whether there is a relationship between the prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), its risk factors and morphological features of atherosclerosis. An association has been found between the development of clinical IHD manifestations with age, extent of morphological signs of atherosclerosis in the abdominal aorta and coronary arteries, and occurrence of hypercholesterolaemia. Estonian men showed more marked changes in lipid indicators and greater extent of morphological signs of atherosclerosis than men of other nationalities; this corresponds to the more atherogenic character of the former's diet. However, Estonian men did not differ from other nationalities in the occurrence of IHD and expected death risk--a finding the authors explain by the lower percentage of smokers among Estonians.

Characteristics of the blood serum lipoprotein pattern in female Tallinn residents aged 35-54 years.

In a single study of the female population aged 35-54 years in the city of Tallinn no significant differences in the blood lipoprotein pattern for the nationality (Estonian--Russian) and the phase of menstrual cycle in women with normal ovarian function were found. On the other hand, in comparison with those with a normal menstrual cycle postmenopausal women showed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerols and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. For studies of risk factor prevalence of non-communicable diseases among female population, it is recommended, to identify women with menstrual cycle disturbance since their higher percentages could bias the results.

Characteristics of the plasma lipid profile in the male population of Tallinn aged 20-54 years.

The blood plasma lipoprotein profile was studied in a representative random sample of the male population in Tallinn, comprising 2292 men aged 20-54 years. 42.8% of the sample were of Estonian and 43.4% of Russian nationality. Mean levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the Tallinn males were found to be higher, and HDL lipoprotein level lower than those revealed in a random sample of the Moscow male population. These atherogenous features of the plasma lipoprotein profile were especially pronounced in men of Estonian nationality. The authors assume that these differences might be due to the genetic and ethnic peculiarities of the Estonian population.