Non-HDL-C versus LDL-C for screening of hyperlipidemic patients

Background: Measurement of the plasma lipids is an essential component of prophylactic
medicine. The current screening test for prediction of cardiovascular complications due to
hyperlipidemia is LDL-C measurement through Friedwald formula. This test becomes progressively
less accurate as plasma TG increases. The test is inapplicable in TG over 400. The measurement of
non-HDL-C versus LDL-C in screening of hyperlipidemic patients is the aim of this study.
Materials and Methods: In a descriptive analytic study we divided 1000 patients (20-60 years old)
who referred to two laboratories in Zahedan Into five groups according to their TG levels. HDL-C
(with Friedwald Formula), non-HDL-C, the correlation between HDL-C and plasma cholesterol
level, the correlation between non-HDL-C and plasma cholesterol level were determined in each
group.
Results: The findings revealed that the correlation between LDL-C and plasma cholesterol level
decreases as TG level increases. At TG levels less than 400 mg/dl the correlation between LDL and
non-HDL was not significant but was at TG levels over 400.
Conclusion: It is inferred that we can use non-HDL instead of LDL-C (at any TG level) in order
to screening of hyperlipidemic patients without fasting. It is still necessary to measure TG level for
appropriate drug selection.