Response to: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol estimation by a new formula — Confirmation

Abstract

Gasko et al. in their study of over 10,000 patients have confirmed the utility of the new formula derived by us [ [1] Anandaraja S. Narang R. Godeswar R. Laksmy R. Talwar K.K. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol estimation by a new formula in Indian population. Int J Cardiol. 2005; 102: 117-120 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (82) Google Scholar ] for the indirect estimation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Our formula had better correlation than the conventional Friedewald formula as compared to direct method of estimation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The validation was conducted in a mix of urban and rural population of Brazil. The mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level calculated by direct method and that estimated by the indirect Friedewald method were similar to our population (116±22 mg/dl vs 116±41.5 mg/dl and 120±24 mg/dl vs 119±46 mg/dl, respectively). It is heartening to find that the utility of the formula derived from Indians is equally effective to a different ethnic group, indicating that the new formula is applicable for a wider range of population. The ratio of triglycerides to very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol varies with the population studied [ 2 Hata Y. Nakajima K. Application of Friedenwald LDL-cholesterol estimation formula to serum lipids in the Japanese population. Jpn Circ J. 1986; 50: 1191 Crossref PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar , 3 Fujimoto W.Y. Friedenwald's LDL-cholesterol estimation formula in a Japanese American population. Jpn Circ J. 1988; 52: 604-606 Crossref PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar ] and hence application of the Friedewald formula for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol estimation in different populations may lead to varying accuracies. Our formula is solely based on regression analysis and hence may have a wider utility as reported by Gasko et al. in their present study.