The predictive power of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for coronary calcification.
BACKGROUND
Chronic elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a major risk factor for developing atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation and predictive power of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for calcified atheromatous disease as measured by electron beam computed tomography.


METHODS
Six-thousand and ninety-three subjects underwent electron beam computed tomography of their coronary arteries, serum lipid testing, body fat determination and assessment of health status by questionnaire. Predictive power of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for calcified atherosclerotic plaque was determined by correlations and multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
The correlation between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and calcified plaque score was very modest (r=0.055, P<0.001). There was a trend toward increasing calcified plaque with increasing levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a modest but significant predictor of calcified coronary plaque. After adjusting for age, gender and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the risk of having any calcified plaque was 1.05-times higher for each 10 mg/dl increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.001). Individuals with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level above 160 mg/dl had a 62% increase in odds for the presence of calcified plaque.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is weakly correlated with and predictive of calcified atherosclerotic plaque burden as measured by electron beam computed tomography. Higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with increased risk for the presence of calcified atheromas.
Allison
Matthew A
MA
University of California at San Diego, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite C203, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. mallison@pol.net
Wright
Michael
M
Tiefenbrun
Jonathan
J
D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids