Cumulative remnant cholesterol burden increases the risk of cardiovascular disease among young adults.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that remnant cholesterol (RC) was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) among middle-aged or older adults. However, lack of evidence on long-term exposures to RC and their role in CVD risk among young adults. We thus aimed to explore the association between cumulative RC burden and CVD in young adults. METHODS: We enrolled participants younger than 45 years free of CVD history in the Kailuan Study who completed the first three health examinations from 2006 to 2010. Cumulative RC burden included cumulative RC burden score, time-weighted cumulative RC, exposure duration of high RC, and time course of RC accumulation. The outcome was the incidence of CVD. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between cumulative RC burden and CVD risk. RESULTS: A total of 15,219 participants were included (73.70% male, median age 39.13 years). During a median follow-up duration of 8.71 years (interquartile range 8.4-9.15 years), 502 individuals developed CVD. After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, highest risk of CVD was observed in participants with the highest cumulative RC burden score (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.29-2.12), the highest quartile time-weighted cumulative RC (HR,1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.96), the longest exposure duration of high RC (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.21-2.42), and those with cumulative RC burden and positive slope (HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.35-2.36). CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative RC burden increased the risk of CVD among young adults, suggesting that maintaining low RC levels throughout young adulthood may minimize CVD risk.