[The characteristics of the blood lipid transport system in the disabled with lost lower extremities]

A comparative analysis of major blood lipoprotein values in 108 males aged 16-65 years with lower limbs amputations has shown a higher level of triglycerides (TG) and a reduced level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL C) in them than in control males with normal limbs. In the subgroup of patients who had undergone the amputation as a result of obliterative arterial disease, the TG level was the highest while HDL C the lowest; moreover, these values appeared to be the same as in the age-matched subgroup of patients with manifestations of atherosclerosis. In the subgroup of older men with posttraumatic lower limb amputations (aged 40-59 years) the TG and HDL C levels did not differ from the corresponding parameters in age-matched subgroup of healthy subjects, whereas young amputees (17-39 years) had the increased blood TG concentration and reduced level of HDL C and apolipoprotein AI. The conclusion is made: disability following limb amputation accompanied by restricted mobility, inadequate physical static efforts as well as by chronic psychological stress seem especially dangerous for young invalids because of associated lipoprotein profile changes which can be regarded as highly atherogenic.