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High-density lipoprotein cholesterol: correlation with biochemical, anthropometric, behavioral, and clinical
Insights
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are negatively associated with overweight and smoking. Determinants of HDL-C remain largely unknown, suggesting a need for further research into anthropometric, behavioral, and genetic factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
- Lipid Metabolism Research
- Biometric Analysis
Background:
- High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a key factor in cardiovascular health.
- Understanding HDL-C determinants is crucial for preventing ischemic heart disease.
- Previous studies suggest correlations between HDL-C and various risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine correlations between HDL-C (absolute and relative) and coronary risk factors in the Israeli Ischemic Heart Disease Study.
- To identify key determinants influencing HDL-C levels in adults.
- To assess the impact of overweight, smoking, and other factors on HDL-C.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of correlations between HDL-C, HDL-C/Total Cholesterol (TC), and variables like Quetelet index, smoking, myocardial infarction, angina, and diabetes.
- Multiple regression analysis to determine the net relationship of HDL-C with various factors.
- Adjustment for confounding variables such as smoking and overweight.
Main Results:
- The Quetelet overweight index showed the strongest negative correlation with HDL-C (r = -0.21) and HDL/TC (r = -0.28).
- HDL-C and HDL/TC were significantly reduced in smokers; HDL/TC was also reduced in men with myocardial infarction, angina, and marginally in diabetes.
- Dietary intake did not significantly explain HDL-C or HDL/TC variability; the Quetelet index explained only a small proportion of variability.
Conclusions:
- Overweight and smoking are significant negative correlates of HDL-C, but explain limited variability.
- Current knowledge of HDL-C determinants in adults is insufficient.
- Further investigation into anthropometric, behavioral, and genetic factors is warranted to understand interindividual HDL-C variability.
Abstract:
Correlations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), expressed in either absolute or relative terms, with a series of coronary risk factors and other variables were examined in the Israeli Ischemic Heart Disease Study sample. The Quetelet overweight index showed the highest correlations with HDL-C (r = -0.21) as well as with HDL-C as a percentage of total cholesterol (TC) (HDL/TC; r = -0.28). Additional negative inverse associations were statistically different from zero but small. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and HDL/TC were significantly reduced in cigarette smokers, and HDL/TC was significantly reduced in men with myocardial infarction or angina pectoris and (albeit marginally) in diabetes mellitus as well. The presence of these diseases correlated poorly with HDL-C (absolute values). The associations of HDL-C and HDL/TC with the Quetelet index persisted after adjustment for cigarette smoking and vice versa. Reported dietary intake failed to explain HDL-C or HDL/TC variability among individuals. The "net" relationship of HDL-C to several variables was examined in a multiple regression analysis. The Quetelet index accounted for 0.21 of a multiple correlation coefficient of 0.28 (i.e., a very small proportion of explained variability). This magnitude is of an order similar to multiple correlations found in our study for total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and serum uric acid. It indicates that our knowledge of the determinants of HDL-C in adults is insufficient. The possible roles of several anthropometric and behavioral variables in determining HDL-C levels are considered, as is the possible genetic factor in dictating interindividual HDL-C variability.