Evaluation of the ratios T- C/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL- C as useful summary estimates of coronary heart disease risk in Enugu, Nigeria

Summary estimates result in convenient expressions relating cholesterols to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Recent data from a population based cohort study noted that a summary estimate is the most powerful predictor of future CHD. In a randomized population based study, summary estimates involving the ratio T-C to HDL-C and LDL-C to HDL-C in healthy volunteers were examined alone or in the presence of joint information on individual levels of cholesterols. Standardized logistic regression model was applied in data analysis. Results revealed that the regression co-efficients for HDL-C, the ratios T-C/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C were statistically significant (P0.05). Thus, summary estimates are strong predictors of CHD and very necessary in prompt identification of subjects at high risk of developing CHD who may benefit from lipid lowering drug therapy.