Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and All-Cause Mortality according to Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level in the Elderly, a Nationwide Study

You Bin Lee, Minji Koo, Eunjin Noh, Soon Young Hwang, Jung A. Kim, Eun Roh, So Hyeon Hong, Kyung Mook Choi, Sei Hyun Baik, Geum Joon Cho, Hye Jin Yoo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: We assessed the myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause death risks during follow-up according to the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels among older adults. Methods: The Korean National Health Insurance Service datasets (2002 to 2020) were used for this population-based cohort study. The hazards of MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality during follow-up were analyzed according to LDL-C level in individuals aged ≥65 years without baseline cardiovascular diseases (n=1,391,616). Results: During a mean 7.55 years, 52,753 MIs developed; 84,224 strokes occurred over a mean 7.47 years. After a mean 8.50 years, 233,963 died. A decrease in LDL-C was associated with lower hazards of MI and stroke. The decreased hazard of stroke in lower LDL-C was more pronounced in statin users, and individuals with diabetes or obesity. The hazard of all-cause death during follow-up showed an inverted J-shaped pattern according to the LDL-C levels. However, the paradoxically increased hazard of mortality during follow-up in lower LDL-C was attenuated in statin users and individuals with diabetes, hypertension, or obesity. In statin users, lower LDL-C was associated with a decreased hazard of mortality during follow-up. Conclusion: Among the elderly, lower LDL-C was associated with decreased risks of MI and stroke. Lower LDL-C achieved by statins in the elderly was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause death during follow-up, suggesting that LDL-C paradox for the premature death risk in the elderly should not be applied to statin users. Intensive statin therapy should not be hesitated for older adults with cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)722-732
Number of pages11
JournalDiabetes and Metabolism Journal
Volume46
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Sept

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Korean Diabetes Association.

Keywords

  • Aged
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Mortality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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