Background
: Sullivan has suggested that higher incidence of coronary heart disease in men and postmenopausal women is due to higher levels of stored iron in these two groups. A few epidemiologic studies in humans have reported the association between iron stores and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. But there is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between iron and cardiovascular diseases. The present study evaluated the relationship between ferreting and well established cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods : There were 288 healthy subjects who visited a health promotion center of a general hospital. We collected data by means of self-reported questionnaire and measured height, weight and blood pressure. Serum ferritin, fasting blood glucose, lipid profiles, and C-reactive protein were measured at a fasting state.

Results : Mean serum ferritin values were 150.1±82.2 ng/mL in men and 61.7±38.2 ng/mL in women (P＜0.001). Serum ferritin level in current smoker was higher than in non-smoker (157.6±111.8 ng/mL versus 100.5±64.2 ng/mL, P=0.006). Serum ferritin was significantly and positively correlated with body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride. There was no statistical significance in age, C-reactive protein, high- density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In multiple regression analysis, there was association between ferritin and sex (β=-80.333, P＜0.001) and triglycerides (β=0.182, P=0.030).

Conclusion : The serum ferritin level in men is higher than in women in healthy adults. Serum ferritin is positively associated with triglycerides.

Background
: There are several reports on the association between hypothyroidism and coronary heart disease. But, it is not convincing whether the subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with the coronary heart disease or not. We have attempted to investigate the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and several coronary risk factors, and the difference of Framingham risk score between subclinical hypothyroidism and normal control subjects in women above 55 years old, who have higher prevalence in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Methods : This study involved th subjects above age 55, who visited the health promotion center in a university hospital from 1995 to 2000. Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as a TSH level greater than 4.1 uIU/mL in the presence of a normal T3 (87-184 ng/dL) and T4 (5.6-13.1ug/dL) level. We measured thyroid function test(TSH, T3, T4) and the coronary risk factors (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting glucose, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and body mass index). Also, we calculated the Framingham risk score from their sum.

Results : There were no significant differences between the subclinical hypothyroidism patients and normal control subjects with coronary risk assessment in women above 55-years-old.

Background
: Death form coronary heart disease is increasing and this study is to evaluate the effect of longitudinal changes of lifestyle and biological parameters on the blood lipid levels, as the risk factor of the coronary heart disease.

Methods : Total cholesterol and total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (atherosclerogenic index) as an indicator for risk of coronary heart disease were examined longitudinally in sample(n=463) of middle-aged men by 2 years. The independent variables were body mass index, smoking, alcohol, exercise, diastolic blood pressure, uric acid. All data was drawn form questionnaire, blood chemistry, and review of chart.

Results : ANOVA test according to categorized variables revealed that for total cholesterol, uric acid (P<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.01), and for atherosclerogenic index, and body mass index (P<0.001) were significant. In correlation analysis, total cholesterol was associated with uric acid (r=0.20, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure(r=0.15, P<0.001) and body mass index(r=0.30, P<0.05). and for atherosclerogenic index so was body mass index (r=0.18, P<0.001). In regression, uric acid(β=6.07, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressre(β=0.36, P<0.01) for total cholesterol, and body mass index(β=0.22, P<0.001) for atherosclerogenic index were significant. But changes in alcohol consumption, smoking, and exercise were not statistically significant.

Conclusion : In order to reduce risks of coronary heart disease, the more aggressive medical intervention for the uric acid, DBP, and BMI, would be essential. This study was done without medical intervention. So, further study with intervention, adequate duration and intensity for parameters modification is required.

Background
: Recently, many large epidemiological studies revealed that total cholesterol (TC) / high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio is a better predictor of risk for coronary heart disease than total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, or low density lipopoteim-cholesterol as a single factor. Our study is designed to examine the factors associated with TC/HDL-C ratio in healthy Korean adults.

Methods : The study involved 6,584 adults who visited the SNUH Health Promotion Center from March 1997 to February 1998. We examined their demographic data, medical history, smoking habits, alcohol intake and exercise through a questionnaire. Serum lipid levels were checked after 14 hours of fasting. We analyzed the data by covariance and multiple regression analysis.

Results : 3,774 healthy adults (men 1,976, women 1,798) were statistically analyzed. The average TC/HDL-C ratio was 4.2±1.2 in men, 3.6±1.0 in women. TC/HDL-C ratio was highest in over age 70(4.4±1.3), and was increased as BMI, the amount of smoking increased, and was decreased as alcohol intake increased in men. In women, TC/HDL-C ratio was increased as BMI increased, and was lower in exercise groups(3.5±1.0) than inactive group(3.7±1.0), but there was no difference according to the smoking amount. Regression analyses revealed a positive correlation between TC/HDL-C ratio and BMI, smoking (P<0.05, respectively), and a negative correlation between TC/HDL-C ratio and alcohol intake(P<0.05) in women, there was a positive correlation between TC/HDL-C ratio and BMI, age(P<0.05, respectively), and a negative correlation between TC/HDL-C rato and exercise amount and alcohol intake(P<0.05, respectively). In both men and women, BMI showed the highest correlation with TC/HDL-C ratio.

Conclusion : BMI, smoking, exercise as well as sex and age are related to TC/HDL-C ratio. Thus, primary physicians should consider correction of these factors.