In a health survey of 2,032 elderly Hong Kong Chinese aged 70 years and over selected by stratified random sampling, a subset of 199 subjects (96 M, 103 F) were selected for a study of their lipid profile. No age and sex differences were observed in mean total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL·C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL·C), and triglyceride concentrations in this subgroup. Compared with values from younger Chinese subjects from a previous survey, TC and LDL-C showed an age-related rise up till about 60 years, followed by a gradual decline. HDL·C concentrations showed little variation with age. Nonagenarians had a LDL/HDL ratio similar to subjects in the < 24 age group and lower than male subjects in the age 35-64 age group. HDL·C was lower in those with heart disease or hypertension. Other lipid parameters were not influenced by the presence of other chronic diseases, self-perceived health status, or cognitive impairment. TC was positively associated with the Barthel Index, a measure of functional ability. Positive associations between obesity indices and diastolic blood pressure, and TC, LDL·C, and triglycerides were present. Negative associations were found for HDL·C. These findings are suggestive of a trend towards a more favourable lipid profile in extreme old age, which does not appear to be accounted for by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in old age giving rise to low cholesterol concentrations. The association of lipids with other cardiovascular risk factors is still demonstrable in this age group.

Keywords:
Elderly, Chinese, Lipids, Risk factor
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© 1993 S. Karger AG, Basel
1993
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