Over the years from 2000 to 2006, both 'bad' and 'good' cholesterol levels in heart disease patients admitted to the hospital got lower on average.
Scientific Claim
Low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels declined over time among patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease between 2000 and 2006.
Original Statement
“Both LDL and HDL levels declined over time (P < .0001).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim reflects a direct observation of change over time, using the abstract’s exact wording. No causal interpretation is implied, and the verb strength is appropriately conservative.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Lipid levels in patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease: an analysis of 136,905 hospitalizations in Get With The Guidelines.
The study found that, over the years 2000 to 2006, people hospitalized for heart disease had lower levels of both 'bad' (LDL) and 'good' (HDL) cholesterol when they arrived at the hospital — so the claim is correct.