LDL-C/HDL-C Ratio Predicts Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression Better Than HDL-C or LDL-C Alone

• Published in: Journal of Lipids Vol. 2011; no. 2011; pp. 226 - 231
• Main Authors: Fukami, Ako, Hirai, Yuji, Adachi, Hisashi, Enomoto, Mika, Satoh, Akira, Otsuka, Maki, Kumagae, Shun-Ichi, Nanjo, Yasuki, Yoshikawa, Kuniko, Esaki, Eishi, Kumagai, Eita, Ogata, Kinuka, Kasahara, Akiko, Tsukagawa, Eri, Yokoi, Kanako, Ohbu-Murayama, Kyoko, Imaizumi, Tsutomu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2011; Hindawi Puplishing Corporation; Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• ISSN: 2090-3030; 2090-3049; 2090-3049
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/549137

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are strong predictors of atherosclerosis. Statin-induced changes in the ratio of LDL-C to HDL-C (LDL-C/HDL-C) predicted atherosclerosis progression better than LDL-C or HDL-C alone. However, the best predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis remains unknown. Our objective was to investigate this issue by measuring changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). A total of 1,920 subjects received health examinations in 1999, and were followed up in 2007. Changes in IMT (follow-up IMT/baseline IMT×100) were measured by ultrasonography. Our results showed that changes in IMT after eight years were significantly related to HDL-C (inversely, P<0.05) and to LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (P<0.05). When the LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were divided into quartiles, analysis of covariance showed that increases in the ratio were related to IMT progression (P<0.05). This prospective study demonstrated the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is a better predictor of IMT progression than HDL-C or LDL-C alone.