Research Information System
8th International Current Issues Congress On Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Health Sciences, İzmir, Turkey, 24 - 26 November 2025, pp.1238-1249, (Full Text)
Cholesterol is widely recognized as a major risk factor for
atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which remains the leading
cause of mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide. The
aim of this study was to examine the trends in cardiovascular disease mortality
attributable to high LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) among older
adults in Türkiye by gender in 1990 and 2023, and to compare these patterns
with global estimates. A descriptive comparative analysis was conducted using
data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study to estimate the burden
of CVD mortality attributable to high LDL-C and to assess trends in comparison
with global patterns across gender in older adults. Age-specific groups (65-69,
70-74, 75-79, and 80+ years) and sex-specific estimates of CVD mortality and
DALYs per 100,000 population were analyzed for 1990 and 2023. Results are
presented with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), and fold changes were
calculated. At both the global level and in Türkiye, CVD
mortality attributable to high LDL cholesterol increased markedly with age
for both sexes in 1990. Mortality rates rose progressively across all age
groups for both sexes. Among Turkish males, the estimated number of deaths per
100,000 population attributable to high LDL cholesterol increased from 389.59
(95% CI: 222.77–580.57) in the 65–69 age group to 1366.41 (575.01–2452.85) in
those aged 80 and above. While male mortality exceeded female mortality in the
younger old-age brackets (65–69 and 70–74 years), this pattern reversed in the
oldest age group, where female mortality surpassed male mortality. In 2023,
this trend continued to show a clear age-related increase in both men and women
at the global and national (Türkiye) levels. However, compared to 1990, the
overall mortality and DALYs rates declined substantially across all age and sex
groups, indicating notable progress in CVD prevention and lipid management. In
Türkiye, mortality rates showed a comparable age-dependent increase. Male deaths
attributable to high LDL cholesterol rose from 160.91 (88.13–255.72) in the
65–69 age group to 917.08 (463.22–1609.74) among those aged 80 and above. Among
females, deaths increased from 80.74 (38.63–132.89) to 894.28 (359.37–1559.04).
From 1990 to 2023, In Türkiye, the declines were more pronounced than the
global averages. Among males, mortality reductions ranged from –0.58 (–0.73 to
–0.33) in the 65–69 group to –0.32 (–0.54 to –0.01) in the 80+ group. Among
females, decreases were even larger, from –0.71 (–0.81 to –0.54) at ages 65–69
to –0.54 (–0.71 to –0.28) in the oldest group. DALY reductions mirrored these
trends, with declines of –0.57 to –0.35 for men and –0.69 to –0.55 for women
across the age spectrum. Overall, Türkiye exhibited greater reductions in CVD
mortality and DALY rates than the global averages, with female older adults
showing the most substantial improvements, particularly in the 65–74 age
groups. Between 1990 and 2023, both globally and in Türkiye, CVD mortality and
DALYs attributable to high LDL-C declined substantially across all older age
groups. Despite this progress, this the trends remain significant among adults
aged 75 years and older, particularly among women. The findings reflect the
positive impact of advances in lipid management, preventive health policies,
and wider access to cardiovascular care over the past three decades. Türkiye
demonstrated greater proportional reductions than global averages, suggesting
effective national-level prevention and treatment efforts. Continued emphasis
on age- and gender-specific lipid control strategies remains essential to
further reduce CVD-related morbidity and mortality in aging populations.
Lowering LDL-C levels significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease,
establishing it as a primary target for both prevention and treatment
strategies.