comparison of calculated and direct low density lipoprotein cholesterol determinations in a routine laboratory
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Date
2004Author
Amayo, A.A
Kirera, S
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations form the basis
for treatment guidelines established for hyperlipidaemic patients. LDL-C concentrations
are commonly calculated using the Friedwald formula (FF) which has several limitations.
Recently, direct methods for LDL-C estimation have been developed which are suitable
for routine laboratories.
Objective: To compare serum LDL-C concentrations determined by a direct assay and
the Friedwald formula.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Mater Hospital Laboratory, Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: The clinical performance
of the two methods was evaluated by analysing 211 fresh plasma samples from fasting
adult patients. The samples were divided into four groups-normolipidaemic; and Types
IIa, IIb and IV hyperlipidaemias.
Results: The Friedwald formula (FF) correlated best with the direct assay in the
normolipidaemic samples (r = 0.879; y= 0.468 + 0.852x). Direct LDL-C values were
significantly lower than the FF in the Type IIa hyperlipidaemia samples (paired
differences 0.38 ± 0.62). There was only 65% agreement between the two methods in
the borderline high LDL-C group of the National Cholesterol Education Program
(NCEP) classification (LDL-C 3.36 - 4.14mmol/L).
Conclusion: There is lack of agreement between the FF and the Abbott direct LDLC
assay. If the two methods are used interchangeably, there may be confusion in the
classification and control of lipid lowering medication for patients with hyperlipidaemia
Citation
East African Medical Journal Vol. 81 No. 3 March 2004Publisher
Department of Clinical Chemistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10377]