A Comparative Study of Lipid Profile in Chronic Alcoholics and Non Alcoholics in a Tertiary Care Hospital Bangalore, South India

Background and Objectives: Alcoholism is a major threat to public health in both developed and developing countries. Over last 30-40 years alcohol consumption has increased in quantity and frequency. Alcohol use predisposes subjects to changes in lipid profile which are associated with coronary risk. Method: 30 alcoholic males were compared with 30 non alcoholic males. Alcohol drinking history was assessed by interview and questionnaire and lipid profile was done measuring total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL & LDL. Results: There were significant rise in TC, TGL ,HDL , LDL and VLDL of chronic alcoholics compared with non alcoholics with p value 0.001, <0.001, 0.004, 0.290, <0.001, respectively. Lipid profile was compared among moderate and heavy drinkers and found increased levels of TC, TGL, LDL & VLDL with p value <0.001, 0.001, 0.002 & 0.001 respectively in heavy drinkers. There is decrease in HDL cholesterol among heavy drinkers compared with moderate drinkers, p value 0.011 which is significant. But remains elevated compared to non alcoholics. Conclusion: This study shows that alcohol intake increases the level of lipid parameters. Moderate alcohol intake increases HDL cholesterol whereas heavy alcohol consumption increases TC,TGL,LDL & VLDL and decreases HDL.