Serum Cholesterol in Middle Aged Men Working in Oslo

Abstract

In the course of the period April 1958 to June 1960 serum cholesterol was examined in 6967 men aged 40–59 and working in Oslo. The mean cholesterol was 271.1 mg/ 100 ml. The mean for men without recognized diabetes, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, intermittent claudication or apoplexy, and with diastolic blood pressure not exeeding 100, was 270.2 mg/100 ml- Peptic ulcer in the history had no effect on mean or standard deviation of serum cholesterol. Serum cholesterol varied with age, diastolic blood pressure, and height/weight relationship. A seasonal variation in mean cholesterol was found, with a maximum in late summer. There are differences among occupational groups in the material which interact with the seasonal variations.