Low cholesterol and increased mortality in 36-65 year old men

This study was published in Circulation 1997; 96:2128-2136

Study title and author:
The Münster Heart Study (PROCAM)
Total Mortality in Middle-Aged Men Is Increased at Low Total and LDL Cholesterol Concentrations in Smokers but Not in Nonsmokers
Paul Cullen, MD, FRCPI; Helmut Schulte, PhD; ; Gerd Assmann, MD
From the Institutes of Arteriosclerosis Research (P.C., H.S., G.A.) and Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (G.A.), University of Münster (Germany).

The study can be accessed at: http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/96/7/2128#F2

Books:

The study investigated the relationship of cholesterol levels with mortality rates in 10,856 men aged 36 to 65 with up to 14 years of follow up.

The study found:
(a) Those with cholesterol levels between 213-231 mg/dL (5.5-6.0 mmol/l) had a 9.4% decreased risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 190 mg/dL (4.9 mmol/l).
(b) Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels between 138-155 mg/dL (3.5-4.0 mmol/l) had an 18% decreased risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 117 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/l).
(c) Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels over 55 mg/dL (1.4 mmol/l) had a 76% decreased risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 37 mg/dL (.95 mmol/l).

This study shows there is an increase in mortality at low levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in middle-aged men.

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