Association between Non-HDL-C/HDL-C Ratio and Carotid Intima–Media Thickness in Post-Menopausal Women
Arcangelo Iannuzzi, Francesco Giallauria, Marco Gentile, Paolo Rubba, Giuseppe Covetti, Alessandro Bresciani, Emilio Aliberti, Gilanluigi Cuomo, Camilla Panico, Maria Tripaldella, Maria Ausilia Giusti, Alessandro Mattina, Gabriella Iannuzzo
Abstract
Atherogenic lipoproteins (particularly, very low-density lipoproteins, VLDL) are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. The present study aims at evaluating whether routinely analysed lipid parameters are associated with carotid intima–media thickness, a proxy for subclinical atherosclerosis. Lipid parameters from 220 post-menopausal women undergoing ultrasound investigation of the carotid arteries were analysed. Forty-five percent of women showed subclinical atherosclerosis on carotid ultrasound. The mean carotid intima–media thickness was 1.26 ± 0.38 mm. The mean value of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio was 3.1 ± 1.2. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and intima–media thickness (r = 0.21, p = 0.001). After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (age, systolic blood pressure, smoking, body mass index Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-Reactive-Protein), multivariate analysis showed a significant association between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and intima–media thickness (β = 0.039, p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis showed that the highest tertile of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio was associated with the presence of carotid plaques (OR = 3.47, p = 0.003). Finally, a strong correlation between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and cholesterol bound to VLDL (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) has been found. Non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio is associated with the presence of carotid atherosclerosis in post-menopausal women and is strongly correlated to VLDL-C levels.