Rising cholesterol levels predict survival, whilst falling cholesterol levels predicts death in people who have suffered severe injuries

This study was published in Critical Care 2003 Dec;7(6):R145-53

Study title and authors:

Following severe injury, hypocholesterolemia improves with convalescence but persists with organ failure or onset of infection.

Dunham CM, Fealk MH, Sever WE 3rd.

Assistant Director, Trauma/Critical Care Services, St, Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown, Ohio, USA. Michael_Dunham@hmis.org

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14624689

The objective of the study was to determine the association of cholesterol levels and severe traumatic injury. The study included 28 severely injured trauma patients.

The study found:
(a) The cholesterol levels in those who survived their severe injuries increased by 28%.
(b) The cholesterol levels of those who died of their severe injuries decreased by 33%.

The resulys of the study show that a rising cholesterol level predicts survival, and a falling cholesterol level predicts death in people who have suffered severe injuries.

Links to other studies:
A review of 150 studies finds an association between low cholesterol and death from injury
Lowering cholesterol levels lead to an increase in death from accidents, suicide, and violence