Association between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal middle-aged women

• Published in: Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 518 - 522
• Main Authors: Masson, W., Epstein, T., Huerín, M., Lobo, M., Molinero, G., Siniawski, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03.09.2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; carotid atherosclerotic plaque; Confidence intervals; Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio; postmenopause; carotid atherosclerotic plaque; Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio; postmenopause
• ISSN: 1369-7137; 1473-0804
• DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2019.1631787

Background: A novel lipid relation, the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C/HDL-C) ratio gathers information on all atherogenic and antiatherogenic particles on a single date. The relationship between this lipid marker and the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) in postmenopausal women is unknown. Methods: Postmenopausal women in primary prevention up to 70 years of age were recruited. Association between the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and presence of CAP, assessed by ultrasonography, was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed. Results: A total of 440 females with a mean age of 58.1 ± 5.3 years were recruited. The mean non-HDL-C/HDL ratio was 3.1 ± 1.2 and 28.2% of woman had CAP. A positive relationship was seen between quintiles of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and prevalence of CAP (p < 0.001). Regardless of other risk factors, women with higher non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratios had a greater chance of having CAP (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.58, p = 0.009). In the ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve of the non-HDL-C/HDL ratio for detecting CAP was 0.703 (95% confidence interval: 0.640-0.765) and the optimal cut-off point was 3.0 (Youden index 0.395). Conclusion: The present study suggests that the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio might be a strong marker for predicting the risk of CAP in postmenopausal women.