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Distribution of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in young adults The CARDIA Study
R P Donahue1, D R Jacobs, S Sidney
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL.
Insights
Young adults show significant differences in coronary heart disease risk factors like cholesterol and triglycerides based on race and gender. Education level also impacts these risk factors, particularly in white women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease epidemiology
- Lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk
- Public health and preventive medicine
Background:
- Limited data exists on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor distribution in young adults.
- Understanding these factors in early adulthood is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health.
- The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study provides valuable insights into this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of coronary heart disease risk factors in young adults.
- To examine racial and gender disparities in lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels.
- To assess the association between education and cardiovascular risk profiles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 4858 men and women aged 18-30 years.
- Inclusion of participants from four U.S. communities, representative of black and white populations.
- Measurement of fasting lipid profiles, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), and apolipoprotein B (apo B).
Main Results:
- Black men exhibited higher HDL-C and apo A-I, with lower triglycerides and apo B compared to white men.
- Black women showed higher LDL-C, apo A-I, and apo B, with lower triglycerides than white women.
- Significant gender differences in lipid profiles were observed, particularly among white individuals, with men having less favorable profiles than women. Higher education correlated with better profiles, especially in white women.
Conclusions:
- Substantial racial and gender variations exist in lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels among young adults.
- These early-life differences in cardiovascular risk factors may significantly influence future CHD risk.
- Educational attainment is linked to a more favorable lipid profile, highlighting its role in cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
While there are many studies of the distribution of coronary heart disease risk factors in children, adolescents, and middle-aged adults, little information is available on this topic in young adults. The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) examined 4858 men and women who fasted 10 or more hours, were ages 18 to 30, and were representative of black and white residents of four U.S. communities. Compared with white men, black men had higher age-adjusted mean levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (6.7 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and apolipoprotein A-l (apo A-l) (9.1 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and lower concentrations of triglycerides (-19.7 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) (-3.3 mg/dl, p less than 0.001). Compared with white women, black women displayed higher concentrations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (5.7 mg/dl, p less than 0.001), apo A-l (2.6 mg/dl, p = 0.001), and apo B (3.0 mg/dl, p less than 0.001), but lower triglycerides (-5.8 mg/dl, p=0.001). Gender differences were more pronounced among whites: white men displayed lower mean levels of HDL-C and apo A-l (-9.2 and -7.3 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and higher concentrations of LDL-C, triglycerides, and apo B (5.2 20.3, and 5.3 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) than white women. Attained level of education was significantly associated with a favorable lipoprotein/apolipoprotein profile, particularly among white women. These data indicate substantial variation in the distribution of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in young adults, which may be important determinants of future coronary disease risk.