Predictive value of serum apolipoprotein B/LDL-cholesterol ratio in cardiometabolic risk: Population-based cohort study

Objectives: We determined the independent predictive value of serum apolipoprotein (apo) B/LDL-cholesterol ratio for the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Design and methods: Prediction of incident cases was assessed in 2466 adults at 7 years follow-up. Results: ApoB/LDL ratio was independently associated log-linearly with waist circumference, and, only in men, with HDL-cholesterol in a multivariable regression model. Positive partial correlations existed with fasting insulin, fibrinogen and apo A-I and, only in women, with CRP. Cox regression analyses revealed the two highest apoB/LDL quartiles to be significant determinants of diabetes, at 2-fold RRs, independently of waist circumference, fasting glucose and other confounders. However, apoB/LDL quartiles were not independently associated with CHD in either gender. Only the highest apoB/LDL quartile was associated (RR 1.46) with the development of MetS. Serum apoB/LDL-cholesterol ratio, determined by insulin resistance and in women additionally by pro-inflammatory state, is of independent predictive value for incident diabetes and weakly for MetS, but not for CHD. (C) 2010 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.