Background: Controversy remains on the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease.
Methods: Over 5000 women living in the area of Naples, Southern Italy, were recruited for a prospective study on the etiology of cardiovascular disease in the female population (the 'Progetto ATENA' study). A sample of 310 participants underwent high-resolution B-mode ultrasound examination and the intima-media thickness and diameters of common carotid artery were measured. In addition to routine biochemical tests, these women also had oxidation markers determined.
Results: Women in the upper HDL-C quartile (HDL-C>1.89 mmol/L) had significantly lower body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio values, and triglycerides concentrations when compared with women in the first three quartiles. A linear negative association was found between HDL-C and carotid intima-media thickness (1.07+/-0.16 mm for the IV quartile versus 1.10+/-0.20 mm for the III quartile, 1.15+/-0.26 mm for the II quartile and 1.19+/-0.23 mm for the I quartile; P<0.01 by ANOVA). No difference was found between groups with regard to carotid diameters and oxidation markers. After adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors, women in the highest quartile of HDL-C had a decreased risk of carotid intima-media thickening (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.23-0.94).
Conclusions: In asymptomatic middle-aged women, HDL-C levels were independently and negatively associated with preclinical atherosclerotic changes of the carotid artery wall.