ABSTRACT
For determination of serum lipid profile, traditionally we use fasting blood sample. Though it has been the most reliable method for testing lipid profile, it has some drawbacks. Fasting is not easy for some people specially children, diabetics and also it is a barrier for population screening. So, intent of our study is to check the authenticity of results obtained using non-fasting samples by correlating it with the results obtained using fasting samples. We wanted to estimate & compare fasting and non-fasting lipid profile values in severe diabetic patients and in apparently healthy controls.METHODSThis analytical cross sectional study included 40 apparently healthy controls and 40 diabetic patients as participants confirmed by history and biochemical tests. Blood sample was collected from each patient two times; once after 10-12 hours fasting and other as a random sample. Lipid profile parameters were estimated using standard tests. Statistical analysis was done by using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Data analysis was carried by Statistical Package SPSS and Microsoft Excel and p<0.05 was considered as level of significance.RESULTSIn apparently healthy controls differences between fasting and non-fasting concentrations were small and clinically insignificant for lipid profile parameters like total cholesterol (p=0.861), LDL-cholesterol (p=0.203) and HDL-cholesterol (p=0.916). The difference was statistically significant (p=0.001) for triglycerides.CONCLUSIONSFasting samples are preferable for serum lipid profile measurement in all individuals with serum triglyceride levels greater than 350 mg/dL. But, non-fasting samples for lipid profile can be used for cardiovascular risk determination in the general people as it reduces patient’s inconvenience and promotes patient acquiescence towards lipid profile checking.