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A study of lipid levels in Indian patients with coronary arterial disease
S Krishnaswami1, N K Prasad, V J Jose
1Department of Cardiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, S. India.
Insights
Coronary artery disease occurred in male patients with low total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These low lipid levels were observed regardless of patient age or weight, suggesting other contributing factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Lipid Metabolism
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant health concern.
- Lipid profiles are established risk factors for CAD.
- Previous studies often show higher lipid levels in CAD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in male patients undergoing coronary arteriography.
- To investigate the association between lipid levels and coronary arterial disease in this population.
- To identify potential factors contributing to CAD in the presence of low lipid levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 1066 male patients.
- Selective coronary arteriography to diagnose CAD.
- Descriptive statistics, percentile distribution, and multiple regression analysis.
- Mantel Haenszel chi-square procedure to control for age and weight.
Main Results:
- CAD was observed in 877 patients; 189 had normal arteries.
- The 50th percentile for total cholesterol was 205 mg/dl (cases) vs. 186 mg/dl (controls).
- The 50th percentile for triglycerides was 158 mg/dl (cases) vs. 140 mg/dl (controls).
- Traditional risk factors (smoking, family history, diabetes, hypertension, age, weight) explained low R-squared values (2.49% for cholesterol, 4.22% for triglycerides).
- Low lipid levels were found irrespective of age or weight.
Conclusions:
- Coronary artery disease can occur in individuals with low total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Age and weight did not significantly alter the association between low lipids and CAD.
- Further research is needed to identify other contributing factors, such as aging, metabolic, or immunologic components.
Abstract:
A detailed cross-sectional analysis of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels was studied in 1066 consecutive male patients who underwent selective coronary arteriography in our centre to confirm or exclude coronary arterial disease. There were 877 cases of coronary arterial disease and 189 patients with normal coronary arteries. Besides descriptive statistics of lipid levels in different age groups, percentile distribution was studied. Association characteristics between lipids and other risk factors was studied by multiple regression analysis. Relative risk of lipids, controlling for the confounding variable of age as well as weight was obtained using the Mantel Haenszel chi square procedure. Results revealed the occurrence of coronary artery disease with low lipid levels in our population. The 50th percentile for total cholesterol was 205 mg/dl for the cases and 186 mg/dl for controls, while for triglycerides it was 158 mg/dl for cases and 140 mg/dl for controls. Multiple regression analysis of smoking, positive family history, diabetes, hypertension, weight and age contributed a low R square value of 2.49% for cholesterol and 4.22% for triglycerides in the cases and controls. The Mantel Haenszel chi square test procedure confirmed that low lipid levels could be seen irrespective of the age or weight of individuals. It is speculated that other factors which may include ageing, metabolic or immunologic components yet to be ascertained, could contribute additionally, to atherosclerotic coronary arterial disease in our population.