Age is positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol among African Americans in cross-sectional analysis: the Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND

African Americans have historically had high high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with other races and ethnicities.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to characterize whether there is a cross-sectional association between age and HDL-C in a contemporary community-based study of African Americans.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were modeled by logistic regression for predictors of HDL-C among African Americans, ages 35-74, participating in the baseline examination of a community-based study of cardiovascular disease in Jackson, Mississippi, during 2000-2004. After excluding persons taking lipid-lowering medications, hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, or thyroid replacement, the analytical data set comprised 2420 persons (1370 women, 1050 men).

RESULTS

HDL-C had a significant positive association with age after controlling for serum triglycerides, sex, waist circumference, percent dietary calories from carbohydrates, alcohol use, and leisure physical activity. Sex was a significant effect modifier of this relationship, whereby the increase in HDL-C with age was steeper for women than for men.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross-sectional analysis found a positive association of HDL-C with age while controlling for triglycerides. Careful evaluation of longitudinal data will be needed to confirm whether this is a true effect of aging, or a cohort or survivor effect.