Lipid profile of firefighters over time: opportunities for prevention

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine Vol. 44; no. 9; p. 840
• Main Authors: Soteriades, Elpidoforos S, Kales, Stefanos N, Liarokapis, Dimitrios, Christoudias, Stavros G, Tucker, Scott A, Christiani, David C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2002
• Subjects: Adult; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia - drug therapy; Hypercholesterolemia - epidemiology; Hypercholesterolemia - prevention & control; Hypertriglyceridemia - drug therapy; Hypertriglyceridemia - epidemiology; Hypertriglyceridemia - prevention & control; Male; Mass Screening; Massachusetts - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Occupational Health Services; Risk Factors; Massachusetts
• DOI: 10.1097/00043764-200209000-00006
• ISSN: 1076-2752

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.