[Comparative study of the lipid profiles in the health staff versus the non-health staff at a health center]. / Estudio comparativo del perfil lipídico del personal sanitario con el del personal no sanitario de un centro hospitalario.

Levels of cholesterol (CT) and lipoproteins fractions (c-LDL and c-HDL), as well as the atherogenic index (CT/c-HDL), were assessed in 307 workers of a health center. The study population was classified into groups, based on age and sex and whether they were health (physicians, registered nurses, clinical assistants) or non-health staff. The lipidic profile of the health staff groups was similar to the profile of non-health staff groups of the same age and sex. The percentage of subjects with CT above 200 mg/dl. was significantly higher (79.6 vs 60.9%) (p < 0.05) among the male health staff versus the male non-health staff and lower among the female health staff versus the female non-health staff (34.5 vs 55.5%) (p < 0.05). The differences in the lipidic profile depending on age and sex were confirmed grouping the population on the basis of such criteria. We highlight that all groups, with the exception of the female health staff, had CT levels above those recommended by the WHO and we stress the need of making health professionals aware of the importance of a primary prevention plan for the control of the cholesterolemia.