title: Association between traditional cholesterol parameters, lipoprotein particle concentration, novel biomarkers and carotid plaques in retired National Football League players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed whether low-density lipoprotein particle concentration (LDL-P) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] can identify subclinical atherosclerosis better than traditional cholesterol parameters in retired National Football League (NFL) players.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  It is not known whether LDL-P and the biomarker hs-CRP can identify subclinical atherosclerosis better than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in retired NFL players, given high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in these players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Carotid artery plaque screening was performed with traditional lipids, LDL-P, and hs-CRP in 996 retired players. Logistic regression analyses comparing highest with the lowest quartile were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carotid artery plaques were seen in 41%. LDL-C (odds ratio [OR] 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.59), non-HDL-C (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04-2.67), and LDL-P (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.35-3.62) were associated with plaques in adjusted models. Among 187 retired players with metabolic syndrome, LDL-C (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.53-3.72) was not associated with carotid plaques, whereas LDL-P (OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.16-11.84) and non-HDL-C (OR 2.63, 95% CI 0.91-7.63, p=0.07; borderline significant) were associated with carotid plaques. hs-CRP (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.71-1.79) was not associated with carotid plaques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid artery plaques were common in retired NFL players and were strongly associated with LDL-P, especially among those with metabolic syndrome. hs-CRP was not associated with carotid plaques in this cohort.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research and Development, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, Houston, TX 77030, USA. virani@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Salim S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Virani
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pompeii
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lincoln
authors.forename: Reginald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nambi
authors.forename: Khurram
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Arthur J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Christie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012179:Retirement; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol