Serum lipid profile abnormality in predicting the risk of myocardial infarction in elderly normolipidaemic patients in South Asia: A case-controlled study

BACKGROUND: The major cause of atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemic, acts synergistically with non-lipid risk factors resulting increase in atherogenesis. Increased (TG) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and the increased TG/HDL-C ratio are considered as major risk factors in the development of Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The accuracy of TG/HDL-C ratio in predicting coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is not properly established by recent research. AIM: The study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of lipid ratios TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C and LDL/HDL-C in predicting CHD risk in normolipidaemic patients with myocardial infarction and to compare the results with healthy subjects. SETTING & DESIGN: Lipid Profile was determined in 165 normolipidaemic Acute Myocardial Infarction patients and compared them with 165 age/sex-matched controls. MATERIAL & METHODS: Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol were analyzed enzymatically using kits obtained from Randox Laboratories Limited, Crumlin, UK. Plasma LDL-cholesterol was determined from the values of total cholesterol and HDLcholesterol using the friedwald's formula. STATISTICS: The values were expressed as means ± standard deviation (SD) and data from patients and controls was compared using students 't'-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Total cholesterol, TC/HDL-C ratio, Triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were higher in MI patients (p<0.001). HDL-C concentration was significantly lower in MI patients than controls (p<0.001). Higher ratio of TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C was observed in AMI patients compared to controls.