title: Comparison of non-HDL-cholesterol versus triglycerides-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors and preclinical organ damage in overweight/obese children: the CARITALY study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lipid ratios to estimate atherosclerotic disease risk in overweight/obese children are receiving great attention. We aimed to compare the performance of non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) versus triglycerides-to-HDL-C ratio (Tg/HDL-C) in identifying cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) or preclinical signs of organ damage in outpatient Italian overweight/obese children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 5505 children (age 5-18 years) were recruited from 10 Italian centers for the care of obesity, of which 4417 (78%) showed obesity or morbid obesity. Anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure variables were analyzed in all children. Liver ultrasound scan, carotid artery ultrasound, and echocardiography were performed in 1257, 601, and 252 children, respectively. The entire cohort was divided based on the 75th percentile of non-HDL-C (≥130 mg/dl) or Tg/HDL-C ratio (≥2.2). The odds ratio for insulin resistance, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, presence of liver steatosis, increased levels of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (cLVH) was higher in children with high levels of Tg/HDL-C with respect to children with high levels of non-HDL-C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In an outpatient setting of overweight/obese children, Tg/HDL-C ratio discriminated better than non-HDL-C children with CMRFs or preclinical signs of liver steatosis, and increased cIMT and cLVH.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Pozzuoli Hospital (Napoli), Naples, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Di Bonito
authors: Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, Parthenope University, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: giuliana.valerio@uniparthenope.it.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Valerio
authors: Division of Auxology, Italian Auxological Institute, Verbania, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Grugni
authors: Department of Pediatrics, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon, Naples, Italy.
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Licenziati
authors: Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Unit, Department of Life & Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Maffeis
authors: Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Manco
authors: Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Second University of Napoli, Naples, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Miraglia del Giudice
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Pacifico
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Pellegrin
authors: Pediatric Unity, AOU Udine, Udine, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tomat
authors: Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Roma, Rome, Italy.
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Baroni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Cardiometabolic risk; Children; Lipoproteins; Obesity complications