Comparison of lipid, liver, and renal parameters between fasting and non-fasting states in apparently healthy adults

Objectives Despite the wide acceptability of laboratory assessments during the fasting state in clinical practice, emerging evidence suggests that non-fasting testing offers a convenient alternative, especially for the estimation of lipid profile. The present study aimed to compare fasting and non-fasting lipid, liver, and renal profiles and define desirable cut-off values for the main determinants of dyslipidemia in non-fasting in apparently healthy adults. Methods A total of 485 apparently healthy adults aged between 30 and 60 years in Southern, Sri Lanka were recruited in the present cross-sectional study. Fasting lipid profile, liver, and renal parameters were estimated in the fasting and non-fasting states on the same day in the same individuals. Results Significant mean differences between non-fasting and fasting triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and creatinine were found as +0.048 mmol/L, −0.080 mmol/L, −0.213 mmol/L, +0.013 mmol/L, and −40.842 μmol/L respectively. There were no significant differences in total cholesterol (TC), non-HDL cholesterol, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and urea between fasting and non-fasting serum samples. Conclusions Small differences and strong correlations in lipid, liver, and renal parameters between fasting and non-fasting states revealed that the non-fasting sample could be used in the screening of healthy adults for dyslipidemia, abnormalities in the liver, and renal functions, except for the estimation of serum creatinine. The optimal cut-off values for non-fasting TC, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol were 5.33 mmol/L, 1.70 mmol/L, and 3.62 mmol/L, respectively, to diagnose dyslipidemia in apparently healthy adults.