title: Low high density lipoprotein cholesterol: prevalence and associated risk-factors in a large French population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  High density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk. We investigated the distribution of HDL-C in a French general population according to age, sex, and the risk factors associated with low HDL-C values.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 18,483 men and 22,047 women 16-79 years of age were investigated during a medical check-up. Relevant parameters were studied in three groups according to age and gender-specific percentile classes (≤5th [HDL₅] median and >95th). Gender-specific logistic regression models selected variables associated with HDL₅.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (threshold: 40 mg/dL in men, 50 mg/dL in women) the prevalence of low HDL-C was 11.1% and 26.4% in men and women and it decreased with age. Mean HDL-C levels increased with age. HDL₅ was positively associated with a sedentary lifestyle and deprivation (p < 0.00001) even after adjustment on alcohol consumption and smoking. Abdominal obesity, smoking, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperleucocytosis, and low alcohol consumption were associated with HDL₅ for both genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of low HDL-C was similar to that observed in other Europeans but lower than in the United States. HDL₅ was associated with cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome, and social deprivation. A prevention policy to increase HDL-C levels should focus on reducing smoking and abdominal obesity, particularly in deprived subjects.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire Bretonneau, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rouvre
authors.forename: Sylviane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vol
authors.forename: Gaëlle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gusto
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Born
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lantieri
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tichet
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lecomte
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL