Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of individuals in the general population with low and high plasma apolipoprotein E

Characteristic	Plasma apolipoprotein E
	≤4.5 mg/dL	>4.5 mg/dL	P-valuea
Individuals, N	67 023	37 130	—
Women (%)	52	60	5 × 10−128
Age (years)	56.4 ± 0.1	60.0 ± 0.1	<1 × 10−300
Body mass index (kg/m2)	25.7 ± 0.0	26.9 ± 0.0	<1 × 10−300
Hypertension (%)	56	66	6 × 10−254
Diabetes mellitus (%)	4	4	0.01
Smoking (%)	21	21	0.65
High alcohol consumption (%)	16	19	8 × 10−28
Physical inactivity (%)	48	54	1 × 10−69
Postmenopausal (%)c	59	80	<1 × 10−300
Hormonal replacement therapy (%)b	11	10	0.01
Lipid-lowering therapy (%)	12	8	6 × 10−119
Education<8 years (%)	11	15	5 × 10−61
APOE genotype (%)			<1 × 10−300
ɛ22	0	2
ɛ32	4	28
ɛ33	58	51
ɛ42	1	6
ɛ43	32	13
ɛ44	4	1

Values are presented as number, mean ± standard error of the mean, or percentage and are from the day of enrolment (2003–13 for the Copenhagen General Population Study and 1991–94 or 2001–03 for the Copenhagen City Heart Study). Missing data on categorical and continuous covariates (<0.3%) were imputed from age, sex, and population. Hypertension was defined as use of antihypertensive medication, systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mmHg, and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mmHg. Diabetes mellitus was defined as self-reported disease, use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents, and/or non-fasting plasma glucose level of >11 mmol/L (>198 mg/dL). Smoking was defined as current smoking. High alcohol consumption was defined as >14/21 U per week for women/men [1 U = 12 g alcohol, equivalent to 1 glass of wine or spirit or 1 beer (33 cl)]. Physical inactivity was defined as ≤4 h per week of light physical activity in leisure time. Women reported menopausal status and use of hormonal replacement therapy. Lipid-lowering therapy was primarily statins (yes/no), and the cut-off for low education was 8 years.

^a P for differences by the Kruskal–Wallis equality-of-populations rank test or by the Pearson’s χ² test, as appropriate.

^bIn women only.