[Serum lipids in drug addicts]

The background and aim is to study profile of serum lipids in drug addicts using heroin.

The study involved 107 drug addicts using heroin (83 men and 24 women). Mean age was 29.3 years (variation 20-47 years). Mean time of using heroin was 6.5 years. Serum lipids (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol) were measured using enzyme methods. LDL-cholesterol and Body Mass Index (BMI) were calculated. All parameters were significantly decreased (mean levels of total cholesterol 4.31, triacylglycerol 1.29, HDL-cholesterol 1.08 and LDL-cholesterol 2.70 mmol/l). Levels of HDL-cholesterol under 1.0 mmol/l were found in 32%. Statistical measurments were performed by t-test and results compared with control group.

Levels of HDL-cholesterol lower than 1.0 mmol/l (32%) are of importance and patients must be further controlled.