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Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol, alcohol, and coronary mortality in male smokers

BMJ 1996; 312 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.312.7040.1200 (Published 11 May 1996) Cite this as: BMJ 1996;312:1200
  1. Mikko Paunio, assistant professora,
  2. Jarmo Virtamo, senior researcherb,
  3. Carl-Gustaf Gref, retiredb,
  4. Olli P Heinonen, professora
  1. a University of Helsinki, Department of Public Health, PO Box 21, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
  2. b Helsinki National Public Health Institute of Finland, Helsinki, Finland
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Paunio.
  • Accepted 9 February 1996

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the increase in mortality from coronary heart disease with high concentrations (>1.75 mmol/l) of high density lipoprotein cholesterol could be due to alcohol intake.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Placebo group of the (alpha) tocopherol, β carotene cancer prevention (ATBC) study of south western population in Finland.

Participants: 7052 male smokers aged 50-69 years enrolled to the ATBC study in the 1980s.

Main outcome measures: The relative and absolute rates adjusted for risk factors for clinically or pathologically verified deaths from coronary heart disease for different concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol with and without stratification for alcohol intake. Similar rates were also calculated for different alcohol consumption groups.

Results: During the average follow up period of 6.7 years 258 men died from verified coronary heart disease. Coronary death rate steadily decreased with increasing concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol until a high concentration. An increase in the rate was observed above 1.75 mmol/l. This increase occurred among those who reported alcohol intake. Mortality was associated with alcohol intake in a J shaped dose response, and those who reported consuming more than five drinks a day (heavy drinkers) had the highest death rate. Mortality was higher in heavy drinkers than in non-drinkers or light or moderate drinkers in all high density lipoprotein categories from 0.91 mmol/l upward.

Conclusions: Mortality from coronary heart disease increases at concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol over 1.75 mmol/l. The mortality was highest among heavy drinkers, but an increase was found among light drinkers also.

Key messages

  • Heavy drinkers have increased coronary death rates and often have high concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol

  • Mortality from coronary heart disease increased at concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol above 1.75 mmol/l, which was due to drinking alcohol but was not associated with the amount of alcohol intake

  • Heavy drinkers (>5 drinks a day) had 1.5 to 5 times higher coronary mortality than non-drinkers or light or moderate drinkers at concentrations of 0.91 mmol/l upward

Footnotes

  • Funding Yrjo Jahnsson and Aarne Koskelo foundations. The ATBC study was supported by National Cancer Institute (US) contract NOI-CN-45165.

  • Conflict of interest None.

  • Accepted 9 February 1996
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