Lipid profile reference intervals in individuals from Maracaibo, Venezuela: an insight from the Maracaibo City Metabolic Syndrome prevalence study

Resumen

Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in adults worldwide. Dyslipidemias are an important risk factor, which is why committees like the ATP III have established cut-off points for lipid profiles dichotomizing the diagnosis instead of setting normal intervals. Currently, there is no general consensus about the reference intervals in our population, so the purpose of this paper is to establish lipid profile reference ranges in Maracaibo City, Venezuela. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was made, enrolling 2,043 randomly selected individuals from both genders over 18 years old, for the Maracaibo City Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Study (MMSPS). To determine the reference population, the patients with pathologic history and medication intake that could modify the lipid profile were taken out. Extreme values were calculated mathematically for each lipid variable and then excluded. The results were expressed in absolute and relative frequencies, medians and 25th-75th percentiles for the general and gender classified population. Results: The medians and percentiles for the reference population (n=434) were indicated respectively for women (n=221; 50.9%) and men (n=213; 49.1%). For HDL-C (mg/dL): 48.00 (42.00-56.00) and 43.00 (37.00-50.00); Triglycerides (mg/dL): 70.98 (50.35-102.53) and 78.50 (57.00-126.63); VLDL-C (mg/dL): 14.20 (10.07-20.48) and 15.70 (11.40-25.33). Were raised general reference values for Total Cholesterol (mg/dL): 176.00 (149.50-201.50); LDL-C (mg/dL): 110.23 (86.25-132.80) and Lp(a) (mg/dL): 25.20 (18.40-33.85).