Cigarette smoking-associated changes in blood lipid and lipoprotein levels in the 8- to 19-year-old age group: a meta-analysis.

In this meta-analysis it was demonstrated that, when compared with nonsmokers of similar age, smokers in the 8- to 19-year-old age group have significantly higher serum levels of triglyceride (+11.8%), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol (+12.4%) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (+4.1%) and significantly lower serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (-8.5%) and total cholesterol (-3.7%). All of these smoking-associated changes are in the same direction as those found in adults, with the exception of total cholesterol levels, which are significantly increased in adult smokers. The extent to which mean triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol levels are shifted is significantly greater in the 8- to 19-year-old smokers than in adult smokers. The changes in mean total cholesterol levels among smokers in both age groups represent only the net shifts in the lipoprotein fractions and are therefore likely to be a less sensitive indicator of the possible lipid-related excess coronary artery disease risk in smokers.