Is direct method of low density lipoprotein cholesterol measurement appropriate for targeting lipid lowering therapy?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the Friedewald Formula with direct homogeneous low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) assay for the detection of LDL-C levels.


METHODS
Fasting serum samples were obtained for lipid analysis from 1001 patients. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured with enzymatic methods and the measurements of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C levels were detected using direct methods.


RESULTS
The mean levels of serum TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C were detected with in the reference range. The LDL-C estimated by the Friedewald formula was significantly correlated (P<0.01) with the direct method but there was a negative bias among them.


CONCLUSIONS
Laboratories cannot use direct method as a substitute for Friedewald formula because direct method has not been standardized in large populations and increase cholesterol assay costs.
Can
Murat
M
Acikgoz
Serefden
S
Mungan
Gorkem
G
Ugurbas
Ebru
E
Ankarali
Handan
H
Sumbuloglu
Vildan
V
Demirtas
Selda
S
Karaca
Levent
L
D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol