Geriatric syndrome of falls in comorbid patients: paradox of normotension in the elderly

Background. Falls as geriatric syndrome in elderly age are associated with high health risks, including serious injury, prolonged hospital stays, and medical and follow-up costs. The prevalence of falls in comorbid elderly patients without hypertension remains uncertain. Aim. To study the incidence of falls in the comorbid elderly with or without hypertension. Materials and methods. The study included 5240 outpatients aged 60 and over with three or more chronic diseases treated at Moscow polyclinics with verified diagnoses according to medical records in 20152018. The exclusion criteria were acute illness, exacerbation of chronic diseases, disease decompensation, severe sensory impairment and dementia. Student's t-criterion was used to compare quantitative variables between groups and Fisher's exact test was used to compare binary variables. Results. The age of study participants was 71.0 0.1 years, 72.4% women. The vast majority of patients (99.3%, n=5202) has been diagnosed with arterial hypertension or essential hypertension, and 0.7% of patients (n=38) had no such diagnoses. The incidence of falls in hypertensive patients was 16.4% (n=857), while 42.1% (n=16) of patients without hypertension reported falls (p=0.00018; odds ratio 3.69; 95% confidence interval 1.807.38). Conclusion. The paradox of the greater frequency of falls in the group of elderly patients who experienced no blood pressure elevation episodes compared with hypertensive patients has not been fully understood yet and can indicate that the risk of falls in patients who experienced no blood pressure elevation is higher; however, further research is required.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment in elderly and senile patients with cardiovascular diseases. Expert opinion of the Russian Association of Gerontologists and Geriatricians

Senile asthenia syndrome (SAS) is a geriatric syndrome characterized by age-associated decline of the physiological reserve and function in multiple systems, which results in higher vulnerability to effects of endo- and exogenous factors and a high risk of unfavorable outcomes, loss of self-sufficiency, and death. Generally, SAS is observed in elderly patients with comorbidities. In cardiovascular diseases, SAS is associated with a poor prognosis, including a higher incidence of exacerbation and death both during acute events and in chronic disease. However, SAS is often not taken into account in developing diagnostic and therapeutic programs for managing elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This article analyzes available scientific information about SAS, algorithms for SAS diagnosis, and the scales that may be useful in developing individual plans for management of elderly patients with CVD.

[Influence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, history of cardiovascular diseases, and structural and functional state of the heart on 3-year survival in persons 95 years and older.]

In recent years, more and more works have appeared that with age, classic risk factors that negatively affect the prognosis (cardiovascular diseases) lose their influence on life expectancy. The study aimed to assess the influence of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors and structural and functional characteristics of the heart on three-year survival in people 95 years and older. The study involved 69 patients 95 years and older (98±1,9 years), 61 (88,4%) were women. After 36 months, data were obtained on the participants' status of life: 25 (36,2%) were alive, and 44 (63,8%) died. Based on the regression analysis results, it was determined that risk factors and history of cardiovascular diseases were not associated with 3-year survival. With a 3-year follow-up, the risk of death increases three times with a decrease in diastolic blood pressure less than 75 mm/Hg, 7,8 times with a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction below 62%, and 4,9 times with an increase in the end-diastolic size of the right ventricle by more than 2,9 cm.

[The effect of physical health and functional status on cognitive functions in women aged 55-64 years old.]

Cognitive impairment is one of the most common causes of reduced quality of life in older people. The aim of the study to evaluate impact of functional status, physical health and cognitive functions in women aged 55-64 years old. The study included 250 women aged 55-64 years (mean age 59,3±2,9 years). Socio-demographic and economic factors, functional and cognitive status were analyzed, the presence and prevalence of geriatric syndromes and their association with social, demographic and economic characteristics, risk factors for the development of chronic non-communicable diseases were studied. The prevalence of cognitive impairments was independently associated with education level, low income of patients, diabetes mellitus, glomerular filtration rate, and vertebral artery diameter. In this case, the level of education was a protective factor.

The Association Between Comorbidity, Frailty, and Outdoor Mobility Loss Among Community-Dwelling Individuals 60 Years of Age and Above in Moscow

To determine the prognostic value of frailty and comorbidity for outdoor mobility loss and mortality in the elderly. The retrospective study was conducted among outpatients aged ≥60 years. Patients with ≥3 chronic illnesses were treated by doctors who had undergone a 72-hour geriatric training. The outdoor low-mobility group comprised patients who failed to visit a doctor because of decreased outdoor mobility during the 3-year follow-up period. The outdoor high-mobility group comprised participants with no outdoor mobility loss. 5678 patients with a mean age of 71.0 ± 0.1 years were included in the study. The risk of outdoor mobility loss rose by 4% per year with men developing it 30% more than women. The effect of frailty was of particular importance because it increased the risk of developing outdoor mobility loss by 70%. Comorbidity was not associated with a higher risk of outdoor mobility loss, but the investigators did not take into account all possible illnesses, or the severity of disease. The loss of outdoor mobility was associated with increase in mortality. Early detection of frailty can help predict outdoor mobility loss and could reduce mortality among older people.

P2251Association between low-grade inflammation, metabolic factors, vascular biomarkers and gut microbiota in different age groups

Background

Despite the growing interest to the theme, the gut microbiota (GM) composition and functional capacity in relation to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been poorly studied. It is not well studied in nonagenarians or centenarians who live much longer than others with postponed CVD. In this study, we assessed GM in association with different metabolic factors in healthy middle-aged adults and the elderly at the turn of a hundred years old.

Purpose

Our aim was to study GM in a healthy cohort (HC) with different metabolic risk factors and in an extremely elderly cohort (EC) of long livers from our city.

Methods

The study included HC of 104 untreated subjects aged from 25–76y (52±13) carefully selected through the exclusion of CVD and other chronic diseases by means of clinical (with different specialists consultations to exclude any factors of inflammation) and a wide range of laboratory evaluation, ECG, treadmill test, ECHOCG, carotid artery ultrasound and the second group of 20 long livers 97–100y (98±1). EC underwent a complex geriatric assessment, also a wide range of laboratory evaluation, ECG, ECHOCG, carotid artery ultrasound. GM composition was studied by the V3-V4 16S rRNA sequencing. Taxonomic units were identified with QIIME 1.9.1. Statistical analysis was done by using the Phyton v.3.2 programming language. Metabolic reconstruction was performed with PICRUSt algorithm. All GM analyzes performed with age, sex and FDR adjustments.

Results

One of the most pronounced differences in GM between groups was a significantly higher representation of antiinflammatory Bifidobacterium genus in long livers (p=0.026 (MaAsLin), LDA=4.304). Among risk factors, high body mass index (BMI) was associated with a high abundance of conditional pathogens of Prevotella genus in HC (p<0.002, GLM) and also in EC (p=0.013, MaAsLin). BMI was correlated with hs-CRP level in EC (p=0.04, rs = 0.634). Median hsCRP in EC was 2.4mg/l (Q3–Q1=5.58), 2.45mg/l (Q3–Q1=2.03) (no significant differences, U-test). Despite this, we found that microbiota of long livers had much higher potential to produce butyrate (anti-inflammatory agent, p=0.016 (MaAsLin), LDA=3.345, PICRUSt algorithm). Average intima-media thickness (IMT) in EC was 1.07±0.16mm, and 0.76±0.2mm in HC, the difference was not significant (p=0.37, t-test). We found the association between the IMT with Serratia (gram negative conditional pathogens) abundance (p=0.009) in HC but not in EC.

Butyrate synthesis potential in EC vs HC

Conclusions

The EC were unexpectedly healthy. Considering the GM analysis, we may propose that EC microbiota protected long livers from the low-grade inflammation and thus protected them from the development of metabolic disorders by producing a high amount of butyrate, one of the most important anti-inflammatory agents in the human body. Conditional pathogens (the inflammation initiators) associated with BMI and IMT as well as butyrate producers may subsequently become a target for cardiovascular prevention.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Governmental support

[New possibilities of using moxonidin for blood pressure control in female patients with osteopenia]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of moxonidine on bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and osteopenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized, open, clinical trial included 114 postmenopausal patients with AH. All participants were evaluated bone metabolism), BMD, telomerase activity (TA). Randomization was carried out into 2 groups (moxonidine and bisoprolol therapy) using simple envelopes. After 12 months of therapy, a dynamic examination was performed.

RESULTS

Both groups showed a positive effect of both moxonidine and bisoprolol on hypertension during treatment both as monotherapy and in the group of patients receiving combined antihypertensive therapy: a decrease in SBP and DBP in the 1st group was 13.6% and 12.8% respectively, and in the 2nd group - 13.7% and 15% respectively, while achieving normal values. In most patients of group 1, normalization of body weight was noted in comparison with group 2 (23.4% and 17.4%, respectively, p = 0.043), delta of body weight in the moxonidine group was -1.89%. The increase in the processes of bone formation in the form of increased markers of OC and Osteoprotegerin and a statistically signifcant increase in TA in patients receiving moxonidine were revealed, while in women who took bisoprolol there were no dynamic changes in bone metabolism rates, there was a tendency for a decrease in BMD and a signifcant decrease in AT.

CONCLUSIONS

Te detected pleiotropic effect of moxonidine on bone metabolism and replicative cell aging processes will reduce the risk of development or progression of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with AH.

Prevalence of geriatric syndromes among people aged 65 years and older at four community clinics in Moscow

Background

Geriatric syndromes (GSs) are common in older adults and have a significant effect on their quality of life, disability, and use of health care resources. Few studies have assessed the prevalence of GSs in Russia. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of GSs among older adults living in the community in Moscow.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in four community clinics in Moscow. A total of 1,220 patients completed a screening questionnaire, and 356 of them also underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA).

Results

The mean age of the 1,220 participants was 74.9±6.1 years; 75.5% were women. Based on the questionnaire, 58.3% reported visual or hearing impairment, 58.2% cognitive impairment, 46% mood disorder, 42% difficulty walking, 28.3% urinary incontinence, 21.3% traumatic falls (over the previous year), and 12.2% weight loss. The mean number of GSs per patient was 2.9±1.5. Based on CGA, a decline in Instrumental Activity of Daily Living score was identified in 34.8% of the patients, a risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment score, 17–23.5) in 25.8%, probable cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score <25) in 8.6%, and symptoms of depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale score >5) in 36.2%. On the whole, patients demonstrated good mobility (average walking speed, 1±0.2 m/s) and hand grip strength (23.9±6.4 kg in women and 39.1±8.3 kg in men), but poor balance (only 39.4% were able to maintain their balance on one leg for 10 s or more).

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of GSs among community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older in Moscow. The results provide a better understanding of the needs of older adults in Russia and can facilitate planning for medical and social assistance for this population.

Growth Hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Insulin Resistance, and Leukocyte Telomere Length as Determinants of Arterial Aging in Subjects Free of Cardiovascular Diseases

Background: Increased arterial stiffness (AS), intima-media thickness (IMT), and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques (PP) have been considered as important aspects of vascular aging. It is well documented that the cardiovascular system is an important target organ for growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 in humans, and GH /IGF-1 deficiency significantly increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The telomere length of peripheral blood leukocytes (LTL) is a biomarker of cellular senescence and that has been proposed as an independent predictor of (CVD). The aim of this study is to determine the role of GH/IGF-1, LTL and their interaction cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in the vascular aging. Methods: The study group included 303 ambulatory participants free of known CVD (104 males and 199 females) with a mean age of 51.8 ± 13.3 years. All subjects had one or more CVRF [age, smoking, arterial hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, fasting hyperglycemia, insulin resistance-HOMA (homeostatic model assessment) >2.5, or high glycated hemoglobin]. The study sample was divided into the two groups according to age as "younger" (m ≤ 45 years, f ≤ 55 years) and "older" (m > 45 years, f > 55 years). IMT and PP were determined by ultrasonography, AS was determined by measuring the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) using the SphygmoCor system (AtCor Medical). LTL was determined by PCR. Serum IGF-1 and GH concentrations we measured by immunochemiluminescence analysis. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis with adjustment for CVRF indicated that HOMA, GH, IGF-1, and LTL had an independent relationship with all the arterial wall parameters investigated in the younger group. In the model with c-f PWV as a dependent variable, p < 0.001 for HOMA, p = 0.03 for GH, and p = 0.004 for LTL. In the model with IMT as a dependent variable, p = 0.0001 for HOMA, p = 0.044 for GH, and p = 0.004 for IGF-1. In the model with the number of plaques as a dependent variable, p = 0.0001 for HOMA, and p = 0.045 for IGF-1. In the older group, there were no independent significant associations between GH/IGF-1, LTL, HOMA, and arterial wall characteristics. Conclusions: GH/IGF-1, IR, HOMA, and LTL were the important parameters of arterial aging in younger healthy participants.

The diagnosis of delirium in an acute-care hospital in Moscow: what does the Pandora's box contain?

Background

Delirium, a common problem among hospitalized elderly patients, is not usually diagnosed by doctors for various reasons. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a short training course on the identification of delirium and the diagnostic rate of delirium among hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years. The secondary aim was to identify the risk factors for delirium.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in an acute-care hospital in Moscow, Russia. Six doctors underwent a short training course on delirium. Data collected included assessment by the confusion assessment method for the intensive care units, sociodemographic data, functional state before hospitalization, comorbidity, and hospitalization indices (indication for hospitalization, stay in intensive care unit, results of laboratory tests, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality).

Results

Delirium was diagnosed in 13 of 181 patients (7.2%) who underwent assessment. Cognitive impairment was diagnosed more among patients with delirium (30.0% vs 6.1%, P=0.029); Charlson comorbidity index was higher (3.6±2.4 vs 2.3±1.8, P=0.013); and Barthel index was lower (43.5±34.5 vs 94.1±17.0, P=0.000). The length of hospitalization was longer for patients with delirium at 13.9±7.3 vs 8.8±4.6 days (P=0.0001), and two of the 13 patients with delirium died during hospitalization compared with none of the 168 patients without delirium (P=0.0001).

Conclusion

Although the rate of delirium was relatively low compared with studies from the West, this study proves that an educational intervention among doctors can bring about a significant change in the diagnosis of the condition.

[Validation of the questionnaire for screening frailty]

For screening frailty in daily practice, we developed the questionnaire relating issues of weight loss, impaired vision and hearing, injuries related to falls, mood decline, cognitive impairment, urinary incontinence, and mobility difficulties. 356 outpatients from Moscow were included in the study (mean age 74,9±6,1 years, women - 80,4 %). Patients were interviewed using the questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The phenotype model of frailty was determined by L. Fried criteria, the frailty index model - by K. Rockwood criteria. ROC-analysis demonstrated a satisfactory agreement between the result of the survey by the questionnaire and assessment the phenotype model of frailty and the frailty index model (AUC=0,765 and 0,731, respectively). The results statistically significantly correlated with the assessment of the phenotype model of frailty and the frailty index model (Spearman correlation = 0,4 and 0,41, p<0,001). Optimal characteristics of the questionnaire for the frailty screening were consistent to cut-off ≥3 and ≥ 4 points. We propose to use a cut-off ≥ 3 point, since it corresponds to a higher value of sensitivity (85,7 and 93,3 % compared with the phenotype model of frailty and the frailty index model respectively). The proportion of patients who scored ≥ 3 points (58,4 %) indicates a high prevalence of geriatric syndromes among outpatients in Moscow.

[Seven questions for elderly in the practice of primary care physicians]

Although geriatric syndromes are widespread, they often remain undiagnosed leading to the development of adverse outcomes. For the prompt detection of the most common geriatric syndromes in primary care we have created seven issues related to weight loss, vision and hearing impairments, falls, mood disorder, cognitive impairment, urinary incontinence, and the difficulties in walking. We believe that using of these questions will allow physicians to focus on addressing the important health problems associated with age and will produce the selection of patients for comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Atorvastatin Therapy Modulates Telomerase Activity in Patients Free of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases

Background: Telomerase activity (TA) is considered as the biomarker for cardiovascular aging and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recent studies suggest a link between statins and telomere biology that may be explained by anti-inflammatory actions of statins and their positive effect on TA. Until now, this effect has not been investigated in prospective randomized studies. We hypothesized that 12 months of atorvastatin therapy increased TA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled study 100 hypercholesterolemic patients, aged 35-75 years, free of known CVDs and diabetes mellitus type 2 received 20 mg of atorvastatin daily or placebo for 12 months. TA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: At study end, 82 patients had sufficient peripheral blood mononuclear cells needed for longitudinal analysis. TA expressed as natural logarithms changed from 0.46 ± 0.05 to 0.68 ± 0.06 (p = 0.004) in the atorvastatin group and from 0.67 ± 0.06 to 0.60 ± 0.07 (p = 0.477) in the control group. In multiple regression analysis, atorvastatin therapy was the only independent predictor (p = 0.05) of the changes in TA independently of markers of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Atorvastatin therapy was associated with increases in interleukin-6 within the normal range and a tendency toward reduction in blood urea. Conclusion: These initial observations suggest atorvastatin can act as telomerase activator and potentially as effective geroprotector. Trial registration: The trial was registered in ISRCTN registry ISRCTN55050065.

[Screening tools for frailty in ambulatory care]

The article gives a brief description of the frailty syndrome and comprehensive geriatric assessment. We describe two classical models - a model of the phenotype and the index of the frailty. The basic questionnaires for frailty syndrome screening in outpatient practice, as well as research on the validation of these questionnaires are presented. The results of comparative studies of questionnaires for frailty screening are shown.

Short telomere length is associated with arterial aging in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

It is known that glucose disturbances contribute to micro- and macrovascular complications and vascular aging. Telomere length is considered to be a cellular aging biomarker. It is important to determine the telomere length role in vascular structural and functional changes in patients with diabetes mellitus. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in a high-risk population from Moscow, Russia. The study included 50 patients with diabetes and without clinical cardiovascular disease and 49 control group participants. Glucose metabolism assessment tests, measuring intima-media complex thickness and determining the presence of atherosclerotic plaques, pulse wave velocity measurement, and telomere length measurement were administered to all participants. Vascular changes were more dramatic in patients with diabetes than in the control group, and the telomeres were shorter in patients with diabetes. Significant differences were found in the vascular wall condition among diabetes patients, and there were no substantial differences in the arterial structure between patients with 'long' telomeres; however, there were statistically significant differences in the vascular wall condition between patients with 'short' telomeres. Vascular ageing signs were more prominent in patients with diabetes. However, despite diabetes, vascular changes in patients with long telomeres were very modest and were similar to the vascular walls in healthy individuals. Thus, long lymphocyte telomeres may have a protective effect on the vascular wall and may prevent vascular wall deterioration caused by glucose metabolism disorders.

[Lipid lowering, antiinflammatory, and vasoprotective effects of fenofibrate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Aim of the study was to assess effect of fenofibrate on lipid blood composition, markers of inflammation and the state of vascular wall in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DB2). We randomized 73 patients with DB2 in 2 groups. Patients of group one (n = 34) in addition to hypoglycemic and lipid lowering therapy with statins received fenofibrate (145 mg/day), patients of control group (n = 38) received standard therapy. We assessed effect of selected therapy on lipids, endothelium dependent vasodilatation (EDVD) in a test with reactive hyperemia of brachial artery, intimaAmedia thickness of common carotid arteries, levels of CAreactive protein (CRP) and uric acid, parameters of stiffness of arterial wall. At the end of the study we found in the fenofibrate group significant lowering of mean levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, CRP, uric acid. We also noted more significant elevation of EDVD, improvement of parameters of arterial wall thickness. The use of fenofibrate in a daily dose 145 mg in patients with DB2 at the background of traditional hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, and lipid lowering therapy corrects effectively lipid disturbances and normalizes function of endothelium and parameters of vascular wall stiffness. This substantially decreases risk of vascular complications of DB2.

[Cardiovascular catastrophes in pregnancy]

Cardiovascular catastrophes (myocardial infarction and stroke occur relatively rarely during pregnancy, but they are menacing complications that frequently result in a fatal outcome. The global pattern of vascular catastrophes determines the need for applying an interdisciplinary approach to this problem and for combining the efforts of different specialists, such as obstetricians, gynecologists, cardiologists, neurologists, and therapists. To study the causes of gestational cardiovascular events and the mechanisms of their development, to devise methods for their diagnosis, prevention, and therapy are a topical problem in the present-day medical practice. The same etiological factors may cause both ischemic and hemorrhagic complications, as well as their coconcomitant forms.

[Low density lipoproteins in patients with cholelithiasis and cholesterosis of the gallbladder]

AIM

To study heterogenic forms of LDLP and LP(a) in blood serum of patients with cholelithiasis (CL) and gallbladder cholesterosis (GBC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Native gradient (3-12%) electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, rocket immunoelectrophoresis with antibodies to apo(a) were made in 20 patients with CL and 20 with GBC, 13 controls without gastrointestinal disease. Correlation of retardation factor (Rf) of LDLP and LP(a) with blood lipids, cholesterol (C) and triglycerides (TG) levels, body mass index (BMI) and age was studied. CL and GBC risk factors were analysed basing on a retrospective assessment in random representative samples of patients (100 CL and 100 GBC patients).

RESULTS

There was a shift of the main peak in LDLP spectrum in the direction of smaller particles in GBC (Rf = 0.171 +/- 0.003) which was significant in comparison with CL group (Rf = 0.146 +/- 0.004, p < 0.001) and control (Rf = 0.114 +/- 0.013, p < 0.05). The analysis of LDLP Rf distribution in patients with different C levels has shown that LDLP small particles can occur in a normal C level: 75% in GBC and 50% in CL groups. Prevalence of small dense LDLP was recorded in both groups (87.5% cases) in hypercholesterolemia. Compared to control, LP(a) concentration was significantly elevated both in GBC (23.7 +/- 4.9 mg/dl) and CL (15.7 +/- 4.4 mg/dl) patients (control--7.5 +/- 1.4 mg/dl, p < 0.01), p > 0.5 in comparison between the groups. The correlation analysis found no correlations between LP9(a), other lipids, BMI and age in both study groups while Rf of LDLP correlated with C and TG levels (r = 0.596 and r = 0.226, respectively, p < 0.05), age and BMI (r = 0. 533 and r = 0.363, respectively, p < 0.05) in CL and did not correlate in GBC.

CONCLUSION

A C level in CL changes with age and BMI while in GBC high LDLP C level was caused by other factors. No correlation of LP(a), LDLP Rf with age, body mass and blood lipids indicates that the above factors are independent in development of GBC.

[Heterogeneity of low-density lipoproteins in cholesterolosis of the gallbladder and cholelithiasis]

The heterogeneity of serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL) was studied in patients with cholelithiasis (CL) and gallbladder cholesterolosis (GBC). Native gradient (3-12%) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used, followed by densitometric scanning and analysis; a correlation analysis of the levels of cholesterol levels, the body-mass index (BMI), and age was made. Various heterogeneity of LDL was revealed in CL and GBC. In the group of patients with GBC, the subfraction spectrum of LDL was characterized by a predominance of minor dense particles of LDL (Rf = 0.171 +/- 0.003), which significantly differed from that in the patients with CL (Rf = 0.146 +/- 0.004) and the controls (Rf = 0.144 +/- 0.013, p < 0.05). The increased levels of total cholesterol were associated with the changes in the subfraction spectrum of LDL with a moderate correlation (r = 0.596 and r = 0.343, respectively). However, a correlation was found between the variability of LDL, BMI, and age (r = 0.533 and r = 0.363, respectively) whereas in GBC it was absent (r = 0.148 and r = 0.117). The findings suggest that the minor dense subfractions of LDL are a risk factor for GBC irrespective of age and body mass. The modified minor particles of LDL more rapidly penetrate than other LDL fractions into the gallbladder tissue, where the gallbladder wall is intensively captured by macrophages, and participate in the formation of foamy cells. In CL, the increase in total cholesterol levels is not followed by so marked changes in the structure of LDL. The much lower proportion of minor dense particles that are components of LDL is a cause of the low entry of apolipoproteins into the gallbladder wall in CL as compared with GBC.