Total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in relation to socioeconomic status in a sample of 11,645 Greek adults: the EPIC study in Greece

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between educational level, a powerful indicator of socioeconomic status in Greece, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in a large sample of Greek adults. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 11,645 subjects, 4,398 men and 7,247 women, aged 23-86 years, who voluntarily participated in the Greek component of the EPIC study during 1994-98. Educational attainment was divided into low, medium, and high. Linear regression analyses were performed, in men and women separately, using total and HDL-cholesterol as dependent variables and educational level as independent, while controlling for age. RESULTS: Total blood cholesterol values are inversely associated with educational level in both genders, a pattern contrasting with that found 20 years ago. The association is more prominent among women. HDL-cholesterol values are inversely associated with educational level in men, whereas the association is less consistent in women.