Publication:

Role of lipid profile in proven premature coronary artery disease and its first degree relatives- a tertiary care hospital based study in South-Eastern region of Rajasthan, India

Background Cardiovascular diseases have become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adult population of Indian sub-continent. Aim of the study was to compare the serum lipid patterns in patients with proven premature CAD and its first degree relative in a tertiary care hospital of South-eastern region of Rajasthan, India.

Methods 200 patients with the primary diagnosis of premature coronary artery disease were enrolled. These patients and their 643 first-degree relatives, who were in the coronary age group 25 years and above also enrolled for the purpose of the study. Fasting lipid profile was estimated.

Results 36.5% of the males and 4.5% female patients were having abnormal cholesterol levels. 30.5 % of male of premature CAD were having high LDL levels as compared to only 2.5% of the females (p<0.05). High LDL level was 33.0%. Low HDL cholesterol in CAD patients were in 36.0% of males and 4.0% of the females (p<0.05). High Triglyceride levels (53.5%) in the CAD patients were 46.5% males and 6.5% females. (p<0.05). Irrespective of sex, majority of relatives  (70.7%) were having desirable total cholesterol levels while high total cholesterol was there in only 10.1% of the relatives.21.4% of male relatives of CAD patients were having abnormal LDL levels as compared to 7.4% of the females (p<0.05).

Conclusions For hyper cholestolaemia, routine screening of all adults older than 20 years is recommended. Therapeutic targets for lipid levels are recommended depending on overall risk for patients with CAD or a CAD risk equivalent such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.