Lipid profile of firefighters over time: opportunities for prevention.

Abstract

Heart disease is the primary cause of on-duty deaths in firefighters, but little is known about their lipid profile. We evaluated the lipid profile in relation to other cardiovascular disease risk factors in 321 firefighters at a baseline examination. Prospective comparisons were performed for 285 firefighters, who were enrolled in a statewide medical surveillance program, and had complete follow-up data for 4 years. The average cholesterol level in firefighters declined from 224 mg/dL at baseline (1996-1997) to 214 mg/dL at the follow-up examination (P < 0.0001). Conversely, both obesity (body mass index > or = 30; 34% versus 40%, P = 0.008) and triglycerides (> or = 200 mg/dL; 27% versus 35%, P = 0.047) increased over time. The proportion of firefighters taking lipid-lowering medications increased from 3% at baseline to 12% at follow-up (P < 0.0001). Cholesterol levels declined significantly, and treatment rates for elevated cholesterol increased over time. Despite repeated examinations, a considerable number of firefighters had persistently elevated cholesterol, and only a minority were receiving adequate treatment.

• Authors: Elpidoforos S Soteriades, Stefanos N Kales, Dimitrios Liarokapis, Stavros G Christoudias, Scott A Tucker, David C Christiani
• Journal: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine (J Occup Environ Med) Vol. 44 Issue 9 Pg. 840-6 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 1076-2752 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12227676 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Topics

• Adult
• Cardiovascular Diseases (prevention & control)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hypercholesterolemia (drug therapy, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Hypertriglyceridemia (drug therapy, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Male
• Mass Screening
• Massachusetts (epidemiology)
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Health Services
• Risk Factors