title: Association of LDL cholesterol with carotid atherosclerosis in menopausal women affected by the metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent condition associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the contribution of LDL to cardiovascular risk is not estimated since it is not part of ATP III criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This is an observational study evaluating the association between metabolic syndrome and carotid atherosclerosis, according to LDL cholesterol levels. Two hundred and sixty-five menopausal women were consecutively enrolled, they all underwent clinical examination, biochemical characterization and ultrasound evaluation. In particular, carotid atherosclerosis, a well known marker of cardiovascular disease, was evaluated. Women affected by cardiovascular disease were excluded from the study. The metabolic syndrome was found strongly associated with carotid atherosclerosis in our study population. In individuals with normal or near normal LDL, the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis was significantly lower than in subject with high LDL. A high plasma LDL concentration was independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis (p=0.026) among women with the metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High LDL cholesterol levels are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in menopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. Although it remains prudent to recommend an integrated control of all modifiable risk factors to prevent cardiovascular disease, decreasing LDL levels should be considered a high priority.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine "G. Salvatore", University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Via T Campanella, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Montalcini
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gorgone
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ceravolo
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Emanuele
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sesti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perticone
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pujia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides