The study found that what kind of fat is inside the bad cholesterol matters more for heart disease than how big or small the particles are.
Scientific Claim
In nonhuman primates, coronary artery atherosclerosis is more strongly associated with cholesteryl oleate enrichment in LDL than with LDL particle size.
Original Statement
“coronary artery atherosclerosis and cholesteryl oleate enrichment of LDL were more highly correlated”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The abstract uses 'more highly correlated' — a valid statistical term — but the phrase 'more important for understanding the pathogenesis' implies causal relevance beyond the data. Verb strength must remain associative.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The study found that when LDL particles in monkeys had more of a specific fat called cholesteryl oleate, they were more likely to get artery clogs—even if the particles were big or small. So, what’s inside the LDL matters more than how big the LDL is.