Incidence of hyperlipemia in diabetics in Okinawa and its relation to ischemic heart disease.

The average value for total cholesterol in the healthy population of Okinawa was significantly higher than that of Kyushu, but there were no differences in triglyceride levels. It is presumed that the difference in cholesterol levels was due to a 10 g difference in fat intake. The average values for total cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetics before treatment in both Kyushu and Okinawa were higher than in the healthy populations of Kyushu and Okinawa. The average values for total cholesterol and triglycerides in the diabetics in Okinawa were higher than those in the diabetics of Kyushu. The incidence of ischemic heart disease in diabetics in Okinawa classified by the Minnesota Code was higher than in the healthy population. It can be concluded that the development of ischemic heart disease in diabetics is influenced by both hypercholesterolemia and other metabolic disorders due to insufficiency of insulin action.