Non-insulin-dependent diabetics often have quantitative changes in plasma lipid profiles characterised by higher triglycerides and lower HDL-cholesterol than the average population. This paper summarises the cross-sectional data (reported by the general practitioners participating in Medicos-Sentinela) concerning total and HDL-cholesterol in a cohort of non-insulin-dependent diabetics treated at primary care settings in Portugal. Total cholesterol and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) associated cholesterol were significantly higher in women. Total cholesterol increased significantly with age (in women), regular alcohol intake, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (in males). HDL-cholesterol showed significant increase with age (both sexes and males only), gender, and alcohol intake in males. The increase in total cholesterol found in patients with regular alcohol intake is an infrequently reported finding.