Incidence rates of fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction in relation to the lipoprotein profile: first prospective results from the Göttingen Risk, Incidence, and Prevalence Study (GRIPS).

In a screening investigation in 1982, which included medical history, clinical examination, general laboratory investigation, and quantification of lipids, lipoproteins, and apoproteins A1 and B, 5020 male subjects aged 40 to 59 years took part. All subjects were free of any heart or vascular disease at the basic examination. Of them 40 suffered fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) during the first 3-year observation period between January 1982 and December 1984 (incidence cases), the others remained free of heart or vascular diseases (reference group). Comparison with the reference group revealed a strong relationship between MI-incidence rate and LDL cholesterol (correlation coefficient according to univariate regression analysis r = +0.248; P value according to Chi-square test P less than 0.001). The relationship was less strong but significant for age (r = +0.189; P less than 0.001), total serum cholesterol (r = +0.197; P less than 0.001), and apoprotein B (r = +0.195; P less than 0.001). Although statistically significant, the relationships to the MI-incidence rate were comparatively weak for HDL cholesterol (r = -0.09; P less than 0.01), apo-A1 (r = -0.09; P less than 0.01), systolic blood pressure (r = +0.067; P less than 0.05), and blood glucose level (r = +0.066; P less than 0.05). Body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, and plasma levels of uric acid, triglycerides, and VLDL did not exert relevant influences on the MI-incidence rate in our study population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)