Concordance/Discordance between Apolipoprotein B Levels and the Cholesterol Indexes

Abstract

Background and Objectives：Apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) has been reported to be a better predictor of the coronary artery disease (CAD) than the cholesterol indexes. The aim of this study was to examine the concordance/discordance between the apolipoprotein B levels and the cholesterol indexes, and to assess the factors affecting the discordance. Subjects and Methods：A total of 11,816 participants (6,965 men and 4,851 women) were enrolled in this study from all the individuals who participated in medical screening examinations at the health promotion center in Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from January to December 2002. All the participants had no history of coronary artery disease. We assessed the concordance between the biochemical parameters of the atherogenic indexes, and we evaluated the factors affecting the discordance. Results：Despite the fact that the Apo-B and the various cholesterol indexes were highly correlated, the concordance rate was merely 47-56%. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed the possibility of an increased risk for the group of discordance in whom Apo-B level was disproportionately higher than LDL cholesterol in the elderly, the smokers, the men and the people having a larger waist circumference, a lower total cholesterol level, a higher triglyceride level and a higher HDL-C level. Conclusion：The measurement of apo B, along with the measurement of the standard lipid profile, could be a great help in evaluating the CAD risk and for aiding in the treatment of dyslipidemia in the elderly, the smokers, men and the people having a larger waist circumference, a lower total cholesterol level, a higher triglyceride level and a higher HDL-C level.