Abstract
Lowering serum total cholesterol is shown todecrease the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Western countries,but evidence is limited regarding cerebral infarction (CI). Thepresent study used the Kyushu Lipid Intervention Study to examinethe risks of CHD events and CI in relation to reduction in serumtotal cholesterol. Subjects were 4,615 men aged 45-74 years withserum total cholesterol of 220 mg/dl (5.68 mmol/L) or greater whohad no history of CHD events or stroke. CHD events and CI numbered125 and 92, respectively, in a 5-year follow-up. After adjustmentfor potential confounding factors, the relative risks of CHD eventsand CI for 15% or greater reduction in total cholesterol, comparedwith less than 5% reduction, were 0.78 (95% confidence limit [CL]0.46-1.32) and 0.39 (95% CL 0.22-0.69), respectively. As comparedwith on-treatment cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dl (6.20 mmol/L)or higher, the risk of CHD events was approximately 50% lower across 3categories below 240 mg/dl (6.20 mmol/L), and that of CI was 70%lower at 2 categories below 220 mg/dl (5.68 mmol/L). Lowering serumtotal cholesterol below 220 mg/dl (5.68 mmol/L) seems desirablewith regard to the prevention of CI. (Circ J 2003; 67: 473- 478)
