AUTHOR=Xu Jin , Du Xiao , Zhang Shilan , Xiang Qunyan , Zhu Liyuan , Liu Ling 

TITLE=The accuracy of four formulas for LDL-C calculation at the fasting and postprandial states

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.944003

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2022.944003

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>Elevated level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is concerned as one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in both the fasting and postprandial states. This study aimed to compare the measured LDL-C with LDL-C calculated by the Friedewald, Martin–Hopkins, Vujovic, and Sampson formulas, and establish which formula could provide the most reliable LDL-C results for Chinese subjects, especially at the postprandial state.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Twenty-six subjects were enrolled in this study. The blood samples were collected from all the subjects before and after taking a daily breakfast. The calculated LDL-C results were compared with LDL-C measured by the vertical auto profile method, at both the fasting and postprandial states. The percentage difference between calculated and measured LDL-C (total error) and the number of results exceeding the total error goal of 12% were established.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The calculated LDL-C<sub>F</sub> levels showed no significant difference from LDL-C<sub>VAP</sub> levels at the fasting state. The calculated LDL-C<sub>S</sub> were significantly higher than LDL-C<sub>VAP</sub> at the fasting state (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), while the calculated LDL-C<sub>s</sub> were very close to LDL-C<sub>VAP</sub> levels after a daily meal. At the fasting state, the median total error of calculated LDL-C<sub>F</sub> was 0 (quartile: −3.8 to 6.0), followed by LDL-C<sub>S</sub>, LDL-C<sub>MH</sub>, and LDL-C<sub>V</sub>. At the postprandial states, the median total errors of LDL-C<sub>S</sub> were the smallest, 1.0 (−7.5, 8.5) and −0.3 (−10.1, 10.9) at 2 and 4 h, respectively. The calculated LDL-C<sub>F</sub> levels showed the highest correlation to LDL-C<sub>VAP</sub> and accuracy in evaluating fasting LDL-C levels, while the Sampson formula showed the highest accuracy at the postprandial state.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The Friedewald formula was recommended to calculate fasting LDL-C, while the Sampson formula seemed to be a better choice to calculate postprandial LDL-C levels in Chinese subjects.</p></sec>