High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and objective measures of lower extremity performance in older nondisabled persons: the InChianti study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the independent association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and objective measures of lower extremity performance.


METHODS
Cross-sectional cohort study.


METHODS
Community-based.


METHODS
Eight hundred thirty-six nondisabled women and men aged 65 and older enrolled in the Invecchiare in Chianti study.


METHODS
Lower extremity performance was assessed using 4-m walking speed at fast pace, 400-m walking speed, and knee extension torque. Fasting HDL-C levels were determined using commercial enzymatic tests.


RESULTS
The mean age of participants was 73.7 (65-92), and 55.6% were women. After adjusting for potential confounders (sociodemographic factors, smoking, physical activity, body composition, and clinical conditions including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, inflammatory markers, and serum testosterone) HDL-C levels were significantly associated with knee extension torque in men and women and with 4-m and 400-m walking speed in men. Men in the highest tertile of the HDL-C distribution (>55 mg/dL) had, on average, a three times greater probability of belonging to the best tertile of all indexes of lower extremity performance, including 4-m fast walking speed (odds ratio (OR)=2.57, 95%=confidence interval (CI)=1.07-6.17), 400-m walking speed (OR=3.74, 95% CI=1.20-11.7), and knee extension torque (OR=3.63, 95%=CI 1.41-9.33). Path analysis suggested a direct relationship between HDL-C and knee extension torque.


CONCLUSIONS
In older nondisabled persons, HDL-C levels are highly correlated with knee extension torque and walking speed. Further research should focus on the biological mechanism of this association.
Volpato
Stefano
S
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. vlt@unife.it
Ble
Alessandro
A
Metter
E Jeffrey
EJ
Lauretani
Fulvio
F
Bandinelli
Stefania
S
Zuliani
Giovanni
G
Fellin
Renato
R
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
Guralnik
Jack M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL