[Should men aged 20 to 30 years with hypercholesterolemia be managed in the same way as older men?].
Serum cholesterol intervention studies have been mainly performed in middle-aged men. Is the extrapolation of these results to men aged 20 to 30 years justified? Atherosclerosis is a process which continues throughout life. It is clear that increased serum cholesterol levels are associated with a higher coronary risk. In addition, serum cholesterol levels increase with age up to 60 years old. Do young men obtain the same benefits from medical intervention as older men? Therapeutic trials have been performed in middle-aged men. The increase in life expectancy associated with a 6.7% lowering of the serum cholesterol by life-long dietary restrictions would only be 4 months in 20 year old subjects at high risk (hypertension, smokers, low HDL cholesterol). With a 20% reduction in serum cholesterol, the gain would be 12 months. There is no reason for not extrapolating acquired data in the over 30s to 20 to 30 year old subjects. Due to the fact that young subjects are exposed to the risk for longer periods, it is advisable to treat their hypercholesterolaemia even more seriously than that of older patients.
Delahaye
F
F
Hôpital cardiologique, BP Lyon Montchat.
Emmerich
J
J
Bruckert
E
E
Thomas
D
D
Richard
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk
Faut-il se comporter chez les hommes de 20 à 30 ans hypercholestérolémiques comme chez les hommes plus âgés?