Comparison of An App Based Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) Estimation with Direct Assay and Friedewald Formula in Indian Population

Abstract

Introduction: Accurate measurements of Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) are imperative in classifying individuals with risk of cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Guidelines around the world advocate aggressive LDL-C lowering therapies. A novel equation, Martin Hopkins Equation [LDL-C (MH)], has been proposed to be an alternate to provide precise LDL-C estimates to initiate and/or adjust drug dosage. Method: Lipid profile data of 739 adults were measured by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Calculated LDL-C by Friedewald formula, LDL-C (FF) and LDL-C (MH) was computed from ldlcalculator.com/ smartphone application. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of LDL-C (MH) was 92.3% and 87.8% respectively. On Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (ROC) analysis, Area under Curve (AUC) was 0.97 (p<0.001). Bland Altman plots revealed a minimal positive bias of 1.2 for LDL-C (MH). Conclusion: The findings are suggestive of better estimates of LDL-C (MH) when compared to LDL-C (FF). A diagnostic laboratory could report LDL-C for absolutely FREE in the future. A new horizon in LDL-C estimation!!!