Increased Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease Associated With Combined Elevation of Serum Triglyceride and Cholesterol Concentrations in the Nephrotic Syndrome in Man

A high incidence (53%) of coronary heart disease was found in a group of 17 adult patients aged 30 to 69 years who had suffered from the nephrotic syndrome for more than one year. The incidence was significantly greater than in the Australian community (P < 0·001). Hypertriglyceridaemia was found to be significantly greater in the patients with coronary heart disease than in those without (350 mg/dl and 180 mg/dl, P < 005), and, in combination with hypercholesterolaemia (465 mg/dl and 397 mg/dl), appeared to expose the patient to special risk of developing coronary heart disease. It is suggested that antihyperlipidaemic therapy should be considered routinely in the management of the nephrotic syndrome.