The Second Busselton Adult Population Survey (1969): Serum Cholesterol

Serum cholesterol results were determined by an extraction method (Technicon N-24a) for 3677 Busselton residents who attended the 1969 health survey. The variation of results by age and sex is described, and compared with 1966 survey values obtained using a direct method of estimation. Individual changes in cholesterol between the 1966 and 1969 surveys are presented as separate frequency distributions for men and women. The mean difference (1966 result—1969 result) of 37.3mg/100ml is attributed almost entirely to change in methodology between the two surveys. Judged by the individual's deviation from the mean of each survey most subjects (91.8%) changed less than 55mg/100ml with a greater change being seen in 6.9% of men and 10.6% of women. The association of cholesterol change with age, evidence of coronary heart disease, influence of result feedback, and subsequent mortality is investigated. The clearest relationship is a group cf 41 showing concern over problems relating to obesity, hypercholesterolaemia etc., reported in the 1966 survey. Thirty-nine of this group (95%) effected a significant reduction in cholesterol by 1969.