Age-related changes in total and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol in elderly Dutch men.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated changes in total and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentrations with age and time in elderly men.


METHODS
A cohort of men born between 1900 and 1920 from the Dutch town of Zutphen was examined in 1977 and 1978 (n = 571), 1985 (n = 885), 1990 (n = 555), and 1993 (n = 345). Linear regression analysis and random-effects models were used to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal age- and time-related changes in cholesterol concentrations.


RESULTS
In both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, total cholesterol decreased by 0.04 mmol/L a year with age. The longitudinal change was observed in the entire population as well as in men who participated in all four examinations (n = 135) and in a subgroup of men who were free of common chronic diseases, were not on cholesterol-lowering medication or a prescribed diet, and rated themselves as being "healthy" (n = 64). HDL cholesterol did not change significantly with age neither on a cross-sectional nor on a longitudinal basis.


CONCLUSIONS
Among elderly men, total cholesterol diminishes with age both on a cross-sectional and on a longitudinal basis; HDL cholesterol does not vary with age in any way.
Weijenberg
M P
MP
Department of Chronic Diseases and Environmental Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Feskens
E J
EJ
Kromhout
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002784:Cholesterol