Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between the ultrasonographic measurements of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and serum lipid levels.

Materials and methods: Randomly selected 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females) were included in the study. The subjects were between 20 and 70 years old. Ten male and 10 female subjects were included in each decade group. Subcutaneus adipose tissue thickness was measured by ultrasonography at seven different sites of the body. Fasting blood samples were obtained for measurement of serum total cholesterol, trigylceride and HDL-cholesterol and following calculation of LDL-cholesterol levels. The ultrasonographic measurements were performed in the Radiology Department and biochemical analysis were done in the Biochemistry Laboratory in Pamukkale University Medical School.

Results: In men, no relationship existed between subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and serum lipid parameters. In women, serum triglyceride levels were correlated significantly (p<0,05) with subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at submandibular (r = 0.32), triceps (r = 0.30), subscapular (r = 0,43) and calf (r = 0.36) sites. Serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels showed no significant correlation to subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at any site. Conclusion: There is difference between men and women regarding the correlation of serum lipid levels to subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at different body sites.