Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: A marker of cardiovascular disease in Type-2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To determine association between serum Non-High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. Material and Methods: This cross sectional, comparative study was carried out in collaboration with Medical Out Patient Department (OPD) & Pathology Department, Combined Military Hospital Malir Cantt, Karachi from August 2021 to January 2022. The study included 175 Type 2 Diabetic patients (Type 2 DM) with known cardiovascular disease (CVD) or risk of CVD. After verbal informed consent, their medical history and basic anthropometric measurements including BMI & blood pressure were recorded using a pre-designed proforma. Samples were analyzed for glucose, HbA1c & lipid profile. Non-HDL-c was calculated using a formula that subtracted HDL-c from total cholesterol. “Non-HDL-c = Total cholesterol – HDL-c”. Results: - The average age of the total 175 patients was 45.54±10.32 years. Frequency of CVD in Type 2 DM was observed in 49.14% (86/175) patients. There was significantly high association of serum Non-HDL-c levels and CVD in Type 2 DM patients. High Non-HDL-c is present in 96.5% of CVD positive cases and 85.4% of CVD negative cases. Conclusion: Non-HDL cholesterol showed a significant association with CVD in Type 2 DM as compared to CVD negative cases. Non-HDL cholesterol should be considered superior to LDL-c as a marker of screening, treatment monitoring and risk assessment of CVD in Type 2 DM. Keywords: Cholesterol, HDL, Diabetes mellitus, Non-HDL-cholesterol, Cardiovascular disease