Non-HDL Cholesterol and Health status – A hospital based study

Abstract

Background: The non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is known to be a better marker of cardiovascular risk assessment than low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Aim: To find out the pattern of non-HDL-C distribution in subjects with normal and abnormal lipid profile as well as among groups based on individual lipid components and categorize them into different groups according to their serum non-HDL levels. Methods: A cross sectional time bound hospital-based study was conducted among OPD subjects whose samples were screened for lipid profile for 3 months. Based on history and serum non-HDL-C levels the subjects were divided in to two groups each I. Normal health status. II. Subjects with dyslipidemia and Individuals with non-HDL-C < 130 mg/dL, > 130 mg/dL and all other lipid parameters were compared between the groups. Results: The mean non-HDL-C and LDL levels were found to be 140 ± 42 mg/dL and 128 ± 42 respectively. Among 500 subjects, 213 had dyslipidemia (43%) and. 287 (57%) had normal lipid levels. When compared, non-HDL (< 130) and Non-HDL (> 130) groups showed significant (p<0.001) difference in DM and also in the lipid parameters TC, TG, LDL, TC/ HDL and VLDL. Conclusion: Non-HDL-C was not affected by plasma triglycerides status thus serve as a better indicator of dyslipidemia even among individuals with normal triglycerides hence can be considered for routine screening of patients with predisposed risk factors for coronary artery diseases.

Keywords: Non-HDL-C, dyslipidemia, LDL, cardiac risk