HDL-C/LDL-C and Risk of Cerebral White Matter Hyperintensities: A Cross-Sectional Study
Cunsheng Wei1, Yuan Chen1, Xiaorong Yu1
1Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, People's Republic of China.
Insights
The ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) may predict white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). A higher HDL-C/LDL-C ratio appears protective against WMH severity.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Metabolic Health
- Biomarkers
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are associated with various chronic diseases.
- Current metabolic indices for predicting WMHs are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ratio and the risk of WMHs.
- To explore the potential of the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio as a predictive metabolic index for WMH severity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1162 hospitalized patients with chronic diseases.
- Assessment of WMH severity using Fazekas scores.
- Logistic regression analysis to identify correlations and adjust for confounders.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio and WMH severity.
- A higher HDL-C/LDL-C ratio was linked to a reduced risk of moderate to severe WMHs (OR = 0.23, P=0.012 in Model 1; OR = 2.03, P=0.019 in Model 2).
Conclusions:
- The HDL-C/LDL-C ratio is a significant predictor of WMH severity.
- A high HDL-C/LDL-C ratio may serve as a protective factor against WMHs.
- This ratio could be a valuable metabolic index for assessing WMH risk.
Background And Purpose:
At present, there is still a lack of metabolic indices to predict white matter hyperintensities. This study aimed to explore the correlations of the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ratio with the risk of white matter hyperintensities.
Methods:
Hospitalized patients who underwent inpatient treatment or physical examination due to various chronic diseases between January 18, 2018, and March 20, 2023, were enrolled. Fazekas scores were used to assess the severity of white matter hyperintensities. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for possible confounders.
Results:
Of the 1162 enrolled patients, 770 (66.27%) patients were classified as having no or mild WMHs, and 392 (33.73%) were classified as having moderate or severe WMHs. After adjusting for covariates, the logistic regression analysis indicated that the ratio of HDL-C to LDL-C was related to the severity of WMHs (Model 1, OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.07-0.73, P=0.012; Model 2, OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.12-3.67, P=0.019).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that the ratio of HDL-C to LDL-C is related to the severity of WMHs and that a high ratio of HDL-C to LDL-C is a protective factor against WMHs. This suggests that the ratio of HDL-C to LDL-C could be used as a metabolic prediction index of WMH severity.
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