Search resultsLow High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: Prevalence and Associated Risk-Factors in a Large French Population
Title
Low High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: Prevalence and Associated Risk-Factors in a Large French Population
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2011
Authors
Journal
Annals of Epidemiology
Volume
21
Issue
2
Pagination
118 - 127
Date published
2011
ISBN
10472797 (ISSN)
Keywords
Abdominal Fat, abdominal obesity, Adolescent, Adult, age distribution, Aged, alcohol consumption, article, Cardiovascular Diseases, cardiovascular risk, cholesterol blood level, Cholesterol, LDL, disease association, Epidemiologic study, Female, France, HDL cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, human, Humans, hypertriglyceridemia, leukocytosis, lifestyle modification, major clinical study, male, medical examination, metabolic syndrome X, Middle Aged, prevalence, priority journal, Psychosocial deprivation, Reference Values, Risk Factors, risk reduction, Risk Reduction Behavior, sedentary lifestyle, sex ratio, smoking, Social Class, social isolation, Young Adult
Abstract
Purpose: High density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk. We investigated the distribution of HDL-C in a French general population according to age, sex, and the risk factors associated with low HDL-C values. Methods: A group of 18,483 men and 22,047 women 16-79 years of age were investigated during a medical check-up. Relevant parameters were studied in three groups according to age and gender-specific percentile classes (≤5th [HDL5] median and >95th). Gender-specific logistic regression models selected variables associated with HDL5. Results: Using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (threshold: 40 mg/dL in men, 50 mg/dL in women) the prevalence of low HDL-C was 11.1% and 26.4% in men and women and it decreased with age. Mean HDL-C levels increased with age. HDL5 was positively associated with a sedentary lifestyle and deprivation (p < 0.00001) even after adjustment on alcohol consumption and smoking. Abdominal obesity, smoking, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperleucocytosis, and low alcohol consumption were associated with HDL5 for both genders. Conclusions: The prevalence of low HDL-C was similar to that observed in other Europeans but lower than in the United States. HDL5 was associated with cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome, and social deprivation. A prevention policy to increase HDL-C levels should focus on reducing smoking and abdominal obesity, particularly in deprived subjects.