The possible association of decreased total cholesterol and severity of disease in elderly hospitalized patients

The object of our study was to determine if any association exists between low serum cholesterol ( < 4.14 mmol/l) and adverse outcomes in elderly patients > 60 years. Patients with low serum cholesterol were compared to a patient population with high serum cholesterol (> 6.22 mmol/l) and normal cholesterol (greater than or equal to 4.14 to less than or equal to 6.22 mmol/l). Only hospitalized patients >60 years, who were not on cholesterol lowering drugs, and did not have cardiovascular or liver disease were included in this study. The study group was 157 patients (79 with low, 78 with high, and 23 with normal cholesterol concentrations). Using the Kruskal-Wallis tests, the low cholesterol group was found to have statistically (p < 0.05) longer length of stay (average difference of >11.1 days), higher hospital re-admission rate over a 1-year period (average difference of > 0.4 re-admissions), greater use of acute cars services (average difference of >0.6 days), and more emergency room (ER) visits over 1 year (average difference of > 0.5 admissions). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.