The Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic: sampling, response and selected methodological issues.

The Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic examined 8,646 17-yr-old youngsters and 6,952 of their parents in order to obtain information on the distribution of plasma lipids and lipoproteins in the free-living multiethnic population of Jerusalem. Sampling procedures and recruitment methods are described, and the degree to which the study population was representative of the target population is addressed in detail. Sources of response bias, although not likely to have influenced the results of analyses to date, are identified, and biased portions of the sample will be excluded from further analyses. Selected methodological problems unique to the Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic are discussed.