This Article Full Text Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burchfiel, C. M. Articles by Yano, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Burchfiel, C. M. Articles by Yano, K. Pubmed/NCBI databases Substance via MeSH

(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1996;16:1356-1364.)
© 1996 American Heart Association, Inc.

Articles

Distribution and Correlates of Lipids and Lipoproteins in Elderly Japanese-American Men

The Honolulu Heart Program

Cecil M. Burchfiel; Robert D. Abbott; Dan S. Sharp; J. David Curb; Beatriz L. Rodriguez; Katsuhiko Yano

the Honolulu Epidemiology Research Unit, Field Studies and Clinical Epidemiology Scientific Research Group, Epidemiology and Biometry Program, Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Hawaii (C.M.B., D.S.S.); the Division of Biostatistics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville (R.D.A.); the Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu (J.D.C., B.L.R.); and the Honolulu Heart Program, Kuakini Medical Center (J.D.C., B.L.R., K.Y.), Hawaii.

Adverse lipid and lipoprotein levels are clearly linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in middle age, but evidence in elderly and minority populations is less certain. In this study the distribution and correlates of lipids and lipoproteins were evaluated cross-sectionally in 3044 elderly (71 to 93 years) Japanese-American men from the Honolulu Heart Program who were recently reexamined (1991 to 1993). Mean±SD lipid concentrations were 189±33 mg/dL for total cholesterol, 51±13 mg/dL for HDL cholesterol, 109±31 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol, and 147±89 mg/dL for triglycerides. Prevalence of dyslipidemic patterns was relatively infrequent (total cholesterol 240 mg/dL: 6.7%; HDL cholesterol <35 mg/dL: 6.4%; LDL cholesterol 160 mg/dL: 5.5%; triglycerides 200 mg/dL: 18.7%), while prevalence of desirable total (<200 mg/dL) and HDL cholesterol (60 mg/dL) concentrations was more common (62.7% and 23.7%, respectively). Mean levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride decreased significantly with increasing age (P<.001), while mean HDL cholesterol level increased slightly (P<.05). After univariate analyses of potential correlates, multiple linear regression models were used to identify variables independently associated with each of the lipids. After adjustment for other variables, levels of fibrinogen and hematocrit were positively associated and insulin, white blood cell count, and use of diabetic medication were negatively associated with total cholesterol. Correlates for LDL cholesterol were similar but also included vital capacity (positive relation) and alcohol (negative relation). Heart rate, physical activity, alcohol, and hematocrit were positively associated with HDL cholesterol; body mass index, subscapular skinfold thickness, glucose, fibrinogen, white blood cell count, and hypertension were negatively associated. Factors associated with triglycerides tended to be similar, yet the direction of relations was reversed. Age-adjusted total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in men who had coronary surgery, thromboembolic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke but were higher in those with peripheral vascular disease. Lower HDL cholesterol levels were found in men with prevalent angina, angioplasty, definite myocardial infarction, thromboembolic stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. LDL cholesterol and triglycerides showed fewer significant relations with these conditions. Findings indicate that elderly Japanese-American men have a favorable lipid profile, except for elevated triglyceride levels, relative to levels in other populations of older Americans and that a number of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases are strongly associated with lipids in elderly men. These analyses also identify several modifiable factors that may favorably influence lipid and lipoprotein levels in the elderly.

Key Words: Asian Americans • cardiovascular diseases • cholesterol • lipoproteins • triglycerides

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y.-C. Lin, F.-Y. Chu, C.-C. Fu, and J.-D. Chen Prevalence and Risk Factors for Angina in Elderly Taiwanese J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., February 1, 2004; 59(2): M161 - 165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.A. Papadakis, E.S. Ganotakis, and D.P. Mikhailidis Beneficial effect of moderate alcohol consumption on vascular disease: myth or reality? Perspectives in Public Health, March 1, 2000; 120(1): 11 - 15. [Abstract] [PDF]