Triglycerides are Independently Associated with Atherosclerosis in Elderly Chinese Patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum triglycerides (TG) levels and atherosclerosis and to explore its predicated value for atherosclerosis in elderly Chinese population. Methods: A total of 593 elderly patients (age >= 60) were included in this cross-sectional study. Their clinical and biochemical characteristics were detected. Patients were divided into two groups: with atherosclerosis and without. The risk factors of atherosclerosis were explored by binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The serum concentrations of TG were 1.72 +/- 1.30 and 1.43 +/- 0.88 mmol/L in patients with and without atherosclerosis, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the significant risk factors were age (p = 0.000, OR = 1.094), TG (p = 0.008, OR = 1.315), type 2 diabetes (p = 0.042, OR = 1.499), and IITN (p = 0.006, OR = 1.724). The risk of atherosclerosis significantly increased in patients with TG > 1.3 mmol/L. After adjusting for different clinical parameters, the risk of atherosclerosis still significantly increased in patients with TG > 1.3 mmol/L. Conclusions: There was a strong and independent association between TG and atherosclerosis in elderly Chinese population, and TG > 1.3 mmol/L indicated a great increased risk of atherosclerosis.