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Researchers associate fluctuation in lipids with seasonal changes

Issue: April 2013

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SAN FRANCISCO — Lipids tend to change significantly with the transition of seasons, suggesting a potential risk for cardiovascular disease, according to researchers here.

“As a lot of studies show, there is a distribution or occurrence of cardiovascular events. We have found a high incidence for myocardial infarction during the winter time as compared with summer time,” Filipe A. Moura, MD, a PhD student at the State University of Campinas, Brazil, said during a press conference at the American College of Cardiology’s Scientific Sessions.

Moura and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional prospective evaluation of 227,359 patients’ lipid profiles from Brazil between 2008 and 2010.

Following assessments of seasonal variability in the prevalence of dyslipidemia and year-round variation in frequency of dyslipidemia evaluations, the researchers reported variation amplitude of 7 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol (P=.047); 3.4 mg/dL for HDL cholesterol (P=.005); and 12 mg/dL for triglycerides (P=.058).

According to data, plasma LDL cholesterol greater than 130 mg/dL was 8% more widespread during the winter compared with summer, and a significant difference was apparent among women and middle-aged adults (P<.001). Moreover, HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL (9%) and triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL (5%) were more prevalent during the summer (P<.001).

Moura said that patients with a lipid profile that cuts close to the upper level of normal should have a second check-up. Further research is warranted to confirm this association and its role in cardiovascular health. – by Samantha Costa

For more information:

Moura FA. Abstract #1100-2. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions; March 9-11, 2013; San Francisco.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.