DETERMINANTS OF HDL-CHOLESTEROL AND THE HDL-CHOLESTEROL TOTAL CHOLESTEROL RATIO - RESULTS OF THE LUBECK BLOOD-PRESSURE STUDY

Chambless L (Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA), Döring A, Filipiak B and Keil U. Determinants of HDL-cholesterol and the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio. Results of the Lubeck blood pressure study. International Journal of Epidemiology 1990, 19: 578-585.Results are presented here on the relationship, in a large city in the Federal Republic of Germany, between HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) or the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio (HDL-C/TC) and the variables smoking, alcohol consumption, Body Mass Index (BMI), and age. The strength of each relationship is estimated and compared with the findings of other similar studies. Careful attention is given to the interactive effects of the variables. Evidence is presented to support, in a European setting, previous findings which suggest negative relationships between HDL-C or HDL-C/TC and certain lifestyle factors, namely BMI and cigarette smoking, and a positive relationship with alcohol consumption. In general, no relationship with oral contraceptive use or age is found. Several interactions among the various lifestyle factors and their relationships to HDL-C are seen, including a confirmation of a smoking/alcohol interaction found earlier. © 1990 International Epidemiological Association.