Title | Predictors of falling cholesterol levels in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2004 |
Authors | Manolio, TA, Cushman, M, Gottdiener, JS, Dobs, A, Kuller, LH, Kronmal, RA |
Corporate/Institutional Authors | CHS Collaborative Research Group, |
Journal | Ann Epidemiol |
Volume | 14 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | 325-31 |
Date Published | 2004 May |
ISSN | 1047-2797 |
Keywords | African Americans, Age Factors, Aged, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cholesterol, European Continental Ancestry Group, Female, Forecasting, Health Status, Humans, Male, Medicare, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Sex Distribution, Sex Factors, United States |
Abstract | <p><b>PURPOSE: </b>To estimate 4-year change in serum total cholesterol levels in a population-based sample of older adults and identify independent predictors of cholesterol decline.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Prospective study of 2837 adults aged 65 years and older with serum cholesterol measured in 1992-1993 and 1996-1997.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Mean serum cholesterol levels declined 6.3 mg/dl between the two examinations. Declines were greater in white (-7.3 mg/dl) than black (-1.4 mg/dl) participants and in those in good/excellent health (-0.9 mg/dl) vs. fair/poor health (-3.1 mg/dl; both p < 0.01). Factors associated with greater decline on multivariate analysis included age, male gender, and higher white cell count, albumin, and baseline cholesterol. Cholesterol levels declined 2.0 mg/dl per 6 year increment in baseline age and 6.8 mg/dl more in men than women after adjustment for other factors. C-reactive protein levels were unrelated to cholesterol change.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>Declining cholesterol levels were associated with male gender, advanced age, weight loss, and white blood cell count but not with C-reactive protein levels. The role of declining cholesterol synthesis, due to as yet undefined age-related changes or to cytokine-mediated reductions related to illness, should be examined to help clarify the mechanisms of the sometimes marked declines in cholesterol levels observed at advanced ages.</p> |
DOI | 10.1016/j.annepidem.2003.09.006 |
Alternate Journal | Ann Epidemiol |
PubMed ID | 15177271 |
Grant List | N01 HC-15103 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States N01-HC-35129 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States N01-HC-85079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States N01-HC-85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States |