Comparison of the relationships between serum apolipoprotein B and serum lipid distributions.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein B (apo B) has been reported to be a better predictor of coronary artery disease than cholesterol indices. The objectives of this study were to evaluate concordances/discordances between cholesterol indices and apo B and to assess the factors that influence them.


METHODS
For this study, 11 816 individuals (6965 males, 4851 females), none of whom had a past history of coronary artery disease, were selected from among visitors to the health promotion center at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between January and December 2002. We assessed concordances between the biochemical indices of atherogenicity and evaluated factors associated with discordances.


RESULTS
Apo B and various cholesterol indices were correlated, although concordance fell within the range 47%-56%. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed an increasing risk of a disproportionately higher apo B than LDL-cholesterol in males, the elderly, smokers, individuals with metabolic syndrome, in those with high HDL-cholesterol or triglyceride (TG) concentrations or larger waist circumferences, and in those with low total cholesterol (TC).


CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of apo B to standard lipid profile testing could improve the evaluation of risk factors of coronary artery disease and aid more accurate assessment of the effects of cholesterol-lowering therapy, particularly in males, the elderly, smokers, or in individuals with metabolic syndrome, high HDL-cholesterol, high TGs, larger waist circumferences, or low TC.
Kim
Byung Jin
BJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan, University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. bjjake.kim@samsung.com
Hwang
Sang Tai
ST
Sung
Ki Chul
KC
Kim
Bum Soo
BS
Kang
Jin Ho
JH
Lee
Man Ho
MH
Park
Jung Ro
JR
D000328:Adult; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol