Can TG/HDL Ratio be an Accurate Predictor in the Determination of the Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in Youngsters?

OBJECTIVES: There is good evidence that shows that modification of modifiable risk factor will reduce the risk of stroke. Hyperlipidemia is one of these risk factors. Studies have shown that nontraditional serum lipid variables may be better predictors of vascular risk rather than others. The objective of the present study was to assess the relationships of traditional and nontraditional serum lipid measurements between young and elder patients with stroke and healthy young adults. METHODS: One hundred twelve young patients with ischemic stroke, 113 healthy adults, and 110 patients with ischemic stroke aged >45 years were included in the study. Laboratory tests for total cholesterol (TC), its fractions, and triglycerides (TGs) were performed using standard techniques, and we computed four nontraditional lipid variables. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, Student’s t-test, and SPSS version 16.0 software. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of 112 young patients with stroke was 38.46±5.96 years. There were 63 male and 49 female patients. Measurements of lipid parameters were as follows: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) 121.42±36.56 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) 38.84±12.47 mg/dl, TG 186.10±176.14 mg/dl, TC 194.76±45.35 mg/dl, LDL/HDL 3.39±1.46, TG/HDL 5.44±6.36, and TC/HDL 5.40±6.36. All lipid measurements were significantly higher in young patients with stroke than in healthy adults. The mean age of 110 patients with stroke aged >45 years was 69.53±12.34 years. There were 63 male and 47 female patients. Measurements of lipid parameters were as follows: LDL 125.18±35.97 mg/dl, HDL 41.47±14.16 mg/dl, TG 117.53±59.03 mg/dl, TC 190.16±42.96 mg/dl, LDL/HDL 3.32±1.55, TG/HDL 3.46±3.43, and TC/HDL 5.01±2.08. TG level and TG/HDL ratio were significantly higher in young patients with stroke than in older cases. CONCLUSION: All lipid measurements were significantly higher in young patients with ischemic stroke than in young healthy adults. TG level and TG/HDL ratio were significantly higher in male than in female patients. In addition, TG level and TG/HDL ratio were significantly higher in young patients with stroke than in older cases. As the TG/HDL ratio has proven to be a highly significant independent prognostic predictor of stroke, it should be calculated in young patients with ischemic stroke.