Low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol and its relation to epicardial fat volume in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Objectives: This study aimed to compare EFV between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects in patients with clinical indications of CCTA and test the correlation between low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and EFV in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients.Methods: This study was conducted on 103 cases with chest pain and intermediate risk probability for CAD and was scheduled for CT coronary angiography divided into 47 diabetic patients and 56 non-diabetic patients. The total serum cholesterol, LDL-C, TG, and HDL-C levels were analyzed for each patient. MDCT to assess CACS and EFV for patients included in the study. Results: The results showed thatplasma total cholesterol, TG, and LDL-C were higher with decreased HDL in the diabetic patient. EFV was significantly higher in diabetic patients (54.5±14.9 vs 44.7±7.7, p <0.02). EFV had a significant  Linear correlation with plasma total cholesterol, LDL-C, and TG. In contrast, there is a significant negative correlation between EFV and HDL-c. EFV was significantly correlated with ca score (EFV was higher in diabetic patients with greater CAC score). Conclusion: EFV is rising in type II diabetic patients, especially those with high ca scores, and correlates well to their characteristic hyperlipidemia, especially LDL-C. So, all diabetic patients must be started on primary prevention against LDL-C to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Keywords: Type II DM, Epicardial fat volume, LDL-c.