Association of remnant cholesterol with risk of cardiovascular disease events, stroke, and mortality: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Lipid disorders are associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Remnant cholesterol (RC), a non-traditional previously neglected risk factor for CVD, has received much attention in recent years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of RC with the risks of CVD, stroke, and mortality.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials were searched. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, and observational cohort studies assessing the association of RC with the risks of cardiovascular (CV) events, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and mortality.

RESULTS

Overall, 31 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with low RC, elevated RC was associated with an increased risk of CVD, CHD, stroke, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality (RR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.41-1.66; RR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.19-1.67; RR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.24-1.66; RR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.53-2.19; and RR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.27-1.50; respectively). A subgroup analysis demonstrated that each 1.0 mmol/L increase in RC was associated with an increased risk of CVD events and CHD. The association of RC with an increased CVD risk was not dependent on the presence or absence of diabetes, a fasted or non-fasted state, total cholesterol, or triglyceride or ApoB stratification.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated RC is associated with an increased risk of CVD, stroke, and mortality. In addition to the traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as total cholesterol and LDL-C, clinicians should also pay attention to RC in clinics.