English summaries Suom Lääkäril 2025;80:e44927, www.laakarilehti.fi/e44927

Lowest cholesterol level in midlife is associated with longer lifespan

Timo StrandbergKaisu PitkäläMika Kivimäki

Background  How serum cholesterol at early midlife predicts longevity and mortality. 

Methods  Serum cholesterol of initially healthy men, born 1919-1934, was measured 1st time between 1964-1973 (n=3277, median age 42 years), and repeatedly in old age. Baseline cholesterol was divided as 1) <5 (n=224), 2) 5-6 (n=803, reference group), 3) >6-7 (n=1170), 4) >7 mmol/l (n=1080). All-cause mortality and longevity were assessed up to 2025.

Results  During follow-up, cholesterol remained quite stable in the lowest group, but clearly decreased with age in other groups where statin use became more frequent. During follow-up, 3068 men (93,6%) died. In lowest group, total follow-up time was 40,1 years, 38,9 (SE 0,5), 37,5 (0,4) and 36,8 (0,4) in consequent groups (p < 0,001). Altogether, 779 men (23,8%) reached 90 years of age; more frequently in the lowest cholesterol group (35,3%) than in other groups (26,7%, 21,0%, ja 22,2%; p < 0,001). Adjusted relative risk of death was 0,83 (95% CI 0,69-0,99) in the lowest cholesterol group. 

Conclusions  In this practically extinct cohort, serum cholesterol <5 mmol/l at healthy midlife was associated with longest life.

Kirjoittajat

Timo Strandberg LKT, geriatrian emeritusprofessori Helsingin yliopisto, Hus ja Oulun yliopisto, Elinikäisen terveyden tutkimusyksikkö  

Kaisu Pitkälä LT, yleislääketieteen emeritaprofessori Helsingin yliopisto ja Hus  

Mika Kivimäki FMedSci, epidemiologian professori Helsingin yliopisto ja University College London

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