title: Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels correlate well with functional but not with cognitive status in 85-year-old subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluate the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and physical and cognitive performance indicators in 85-year-old subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  321 subjects enrolled in the Octabaix Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional status was determined using the Lawton-Brody Index (LI) and the Barthel Index (BI). Cognition was assessed using the modified Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MEC). We also measured risks related to nutrition and falls, as well as comorbidity and chronic drug prescription. HDL-C serum concentrations <40 mg/dl for men and <46 mg/dl for women were used as cut-off values to discriminate between normal and low HDL-C concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample consisted of 197 women (61%) and 124 men. Mean HDL-C levels were 56.5 ± 15 mg/dl, with gender differences being found (59.3 ± 15 mg/dl in women vs. 52.1 ± 13 mg/dl in men; p<0.0001). Sixty-one subjects (19%) had low HDL-C values. HDL-C levels correlated with BI (r=0.11, p=0.04) and LI (r=0.17, p=0.002) scores, but not with MEC scores (r=0.08, p=0.13). Poor BI and LI scores, lower MEC scores, a risk of falls and malnutrition, and polypharmacy were all associated with lower HDL-C values in the bivariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed only a significant association between normal HDL-C serum values and better BI scores (p<0.001, OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with higher levels of HDL-C had better functional and cognitive status, but after multivariate analysis this relationship only remained significant for functional status.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. fformiga@bellvitgehospital.cat
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Formiga
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chivite
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Badia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Padrós
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pujol
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000097:blood*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL