title: Measured versus calculated LDL-cholesterol in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a strong positive association between increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and coronary heart disease (CHD). The accuracy of LDL-C estimation is essential and critically important. The aim of present study was to compare calculated LDL-C with direct homogeneous assay in patients with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study was carried out at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE) from January 2011 to December 2013. A total of 9620 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Fasting blood glucose, total Cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were obtained using standard methods. Calculated LDL-C was obtained by Friedewald formula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean difference of measured and calculated LDL-C was found to be -0.25, 6.63 and 46.55 mg/dl at triglyceride levels < 150 mg/dl, 150 - 400 mg/dl and ≥ 400 mg/dl, respectively. The result shows that the difference between measured and calculated LDL-C increases as the triglyceride level increases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of our study suggested that calculated LDL-C was lower, as compared to measured LDL-C, which may cause misclassifications that may have an impact on therapeutic decisions in patients with diabetes. Calculated LDL-C may depend on triglyceride levels so LDL-C should be measured by direct assay in routine clinical laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Asher Fawwad, PhD. Associate Professor, Senior Research Scientist, Research Department, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asher
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fawwad
authors.affiliation: Rubina Sabir, M.Sc. Laboratory Manager, Clinical and Research Laboratory, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rubina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabir
authors.affiliation: Musarrat Riaz, F.C.P.S. Assistant Professor, Consultant Physician, Department of Medicine, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi Pakistan.
authors.forename: Musarrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.affiliation: Hassan Moin, M.Sc. Statistician, Research Department, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moin
authors.affiliation: Abdul Basit, F.R.C.P. Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi Pakistan.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basit
keywords: LDL; Type 2 Diabetes