title: Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that includes hypertriglyceridemia. Although low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the critical therapeutic target in patients with coronary artery disease, LDL cannot be calculated in those with excessive hypertriglyceridemia. Non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) does not require LDL for calculation and may be an alternative therapeutic target in MS. The purpose of this study was to determine non-HDL cholesterol in relation to other lipid components and comorbidities in MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional chart review on 928 public hospital patients was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metabolic syndrome was present in 53% of all patients. Among those with MS, 87% had triglyceride level of greater than 150 mg/dL, 85% had low HDL, 71% had LDL of greater than 100 mg/dL, and 74% had non-HDL of greater than 130 mg/dL. The level of non-HDL cholesterol, but not total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and less at goal (P < 0.0001) in patients with MS. Diagnoses of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were significantly more prevalent in MS patients (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with those without MS, non-HDL level was significantly higher and undertargeted in patients with MS, in parallel with significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA. jian.huang@va.gov
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parish
authors.forename: Ishak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mansi
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Estela M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kennen
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carden