title: HDL-cholesterol and physical performance: results from the ageing and longevity study in the sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE Study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been hypothesised to be a reliable marker of frailty and poor prognosis among the oldest elderly. We evaluate the relationship of HDL-cholesterol with measures of physical performance, muscle strength, and functional status in older persons aged 80years or older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are from baseline evaluation of the ageing and longevity study in the Sirente geographic area (ilSIRENTE study) (n = 364). Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score [short physical performance battery (SPPB)], which is based on three-timed tests: 4-m walking-speed, balance, and chair-stand tests. Muscle strength was measured by hand-grip strength. Analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the relationship of different HDL-cholesterol levels with physical function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the unadjusted analyses, physical function (as measured by the 4-m walking-speed, theSPPB score, the basic and instrumental activities of daily living scales scores), but not hand-grip strength, improved significantly as HDL-cholesterol tertiles increased. After adjustment for potential confounders, which included age, gender, living alone, alcohol abuse, physical activity, congestive heart failure, diabetes, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, albumin, urea, C-reactive protein and LDL cholesterol, the association of HDL-cholesterol tertiles with the 4-m walking-speed and the SPPB score was still consistent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggests that among very old subjects living in the community the higher levels of HDL-cholesterol are associated with better functional performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Physiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Roma, Italy. francesco_landi@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Landi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cesari
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pahor
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernabei
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Onder
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness; D004856:Postural Balance; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL