Association of atherogenic indices with obesity and as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk

Background: Obesity, the new world syndrome is the major health problem pandemically. One of the causes of dyslipidemia is obesity. The study was aimed to detect the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidemia in obese persons.Methods: Case control study included 70 subjects categorized into two groups based on BMI (body mass index) as cases (obese) with BMI >25 kg/m2 (n=35) and controls (non-obese) with BMI <25 kg/m2 (n=35). Anthropometric measurements such as waist and hip circumference and waist to hip ratio were measured. Fasting venous blood samples collected were estimated for total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein. Non-HDL-cholesterol, atherogenic indices such as atherogenic index of plasma, Castelli's risk index I and II and atherogenic coefficient were calculated from the estimated lipids.Results: Dyslipidemia observed in obese cases was hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia (28.57%), lowered HDL (57.14%) and increased LDL (65.71%). Significant lower HDL, elevated non-HDL cholesterol, CRI-I, II and AC were observed in cases compared to controls. BMI had a significant negative correlation with HDL and positive correlation with anthropometric measurements, TC, non-HDL cholesterol and atherogenic indices. TC and HDL were associated with all the atherogenic indices. CRI-I, CRI-II and AC have significant diagnostic utility, with CRI-I and AC having more sensitivity and specificity at cut off values of 3.85 and 2.85 respectively.Conclusions: Decrease in HDL, elevated non-HDL cholesterol and atherogenic indices are associated with BMI. CRI-I and AC are indicative cardiovascular risk.