HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels correlate with lower extremity
performance in older nondisabled individuals, according to a report
in the April Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

"The importance of HDL-C might not be limited to cardiovascular
diseases," Dr. Stefano Volpato from University of Ferrara, Italy
told Reuters Health. "Older people with low HDL levels might be
considered at risk also for other poor health outcomes."

Dr. Volpato and colleagues assessed HDL-C levels and objective
measures of lower extremity performance in community-dwelling
nondisabled men and women aged 65 and older.

HDL-C levels were significantly associated with all indices of
function, the authors report, with participants with the highest HDL-
C levels having the best physical performance.

In men, HDL-C levels correlated directly with 4-minute fast walking
speed, 400-meter walking speed, and knee extension torque, the
report indicates, whereas in women, HDL-C levels correlated
significantly only with knee extension torque.

A separate structural equation model that included the effects of
inflammation, age, diabetes, and heart disease on knee extension
strength implied that inflammation affects HDL-C and knee extension
strength but that HDL-C does not exert its influence on strength
through its relationship with inflammation.

"We do not have evidence for a causal relationship between HDL-C
level and physical performance," Dr. Volpato cautioned. "We are
planning to perform longitudinal analyses to confirm these cross-
sectional results."

J Am Geriatr Soc 2008;56:621-629.