Evaluation of variation in the lipid profile and risk for coronary artery disease in healthy male individuals with respect to age.

ABSTRACT

Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the commonest causes of death affecting both sexes worldwide. It is the leading cause of mortality in developed countries. The measurement of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins has long been recognized as necessary for the diagnosis and clinical management of disorders of lipoprotein metabolism. On the basis of this, the present study was performed to compare the serum lipid profile in males of different age groups. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted after the institutional ethical clearance. The male subjects between the ages of 20-59 were included in the study. Blood was collected from the subjects after an overnight fast of 12 hours who were also advised to refrain from non-vegetarian food for 3 days. Estimation of serum total cholesterol was done by using the cholesterol kit which uses modified Allain’s method for estimating serum cholesterol. Serum triglyceride was estimated using the triglyceride kit which is based on GPO-POD method. Estimation of serum HDL cholesterol was done using cholesterol kit which uses modified Allain’s method. Serum LDL cholesterol level was calculated using the Friedewald’s formula, LDL cholesterol = Total cholesterol - (HDL-C + TG/5). Estimation of fasting blood sugar was done using GOD-POD method. The lipid levels with risk for CAD were performed based on Framingham heart study. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired t-test for group wise comparison and P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The lipid levels on comparison in 2 successive age groups of males, that is 20-29 and 30-39 years; and 30-39 and 40-49years; 40-49 and 50-59 years, it was found that the mean values of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and the ratio of TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C are increased while HDL-C is decreased in the older age group. Conclusion: From the present study it is understood that as age advances total cholesterol, LDL-C & triglyceride increases; ratios between TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C also increases. But HDL-C shows a decrease in males. The risk for CAD with respect to lipid values is higher in older age groups.