Atherogenic Index, a Helpful Marker in Risk Assessment of Obese Patients

Abstract

Background: Lipid metabolism disorders increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus type 2 and its cardiovascular complications. Objective: We aimed to evaluate atherogenic index (AI) and to determine if it could be a good predictor in risk assessment in obese older patients. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study comprised 358 patients, over 65 years old: 224 obese patients group and 134 normal weight patients as control group. Results: AI values are significantly higher (0.44±0.29 vs. 0.21±0.30; p<0.001) in obese compared to normal weight patients. In obese patients, 76.33% are at high risk and respectively at normal weight patients 42.53%, are at high risk (hence atherogenic risk increases 1.79 times). From the point of view of gender, obese women have significantly lower AI values than men (p<0.001), so even at menopause, women have a lower atherogenic risk. The prevalence of dyslipidemia at obese patients rises from 31.94% in low risk AI to 75% in those at high risk. Multivariate regression analysis showed that patients with high AI had 4.35-fold risk for obesity [OR 4.35, 95% CI: 2.74-6.90, p<0.0001]. Conclusion: AI is associated with lipid changes; high risk AI leads to an increase in the prevalence of obesity, therefore AI could be a helpful marker in risk assessment of obese patients.