Clinical characterization and detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with extreme hyperalphalipoproteinemia

Introduction and objectives

The association between HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and death from cardiovascular disease follows a U-shaped pattern, increasing at the extremes. The objective of the study was to characterise a sample of subjects with extreme hyperalphalipoproteinemia (HAE).

Material and methods

53 cases with HAE were recruited, 24 women (HDL-C > 135 mg/dl) and 29 men (HDL-C > 116 mg/dl). A detailed medical history was taken and questionnaires on adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity were collected. Carotid ultrasounds were performed to detect the presence of suclinical atherosclerosis.

Results

The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) was dyslipidemia (64%) with no significant differences between men and women, unlike hypertension (21% in women, versus 55% in men, p = 0.01) and others CVRF, for example, diabetes. 7% of the series had previous cardiovascular disease, women had higher LDL cholesterol (p = 0.002) and HDL-C than men (without significant differences). Plaque was detected in 53% of cases, being more prevalent in men. Patients with plaque were older, drank more alcohol and smoked more (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Men had a higher prevalence of CVRF than women, except for dyslipidemia. Subclinical atherosclerosis occurred in more than half of the series. Age, alcohol consumption and smoking were independently associated with the presence of plaque, however, our data do not show a significant influence of HDL-C levels.