[Blood lipid patterns in a population over 65 years of age in the Val d'Aosta area].

In a sample selection of 263 elderly male and female Valdostan subjects, the serum lipid pattern was studied. Cholesterol, triglyceride and lipoprotein serum concentrations have been analized. The hyperlipoproteinaemias found were classified according to Fredrickson and Levy. Both the apparently primitive hyperlipoproteinaemias as well as those of a secondary type were found to be type IIa, IIb and IV with a prevalence of IIb type in both sexes. Hyperlipoproteinemias were found more frequently in the younger groups with a prevalence in the female subjects. The mean values of serum cholesterol were 211 +/- 45 mg % in the males and 235 +/- 42 mg % in the females; the mean triglyceridemia was respectively 121 +/- 52 mg % and 149 +/- 70 mg %. Sex differences were statistically significant. The results confirm previous findings concerning the increase of blood lipids in females, after the V decade.