Impact of Serum Apolipoprotein B Measurements on the Risk Management of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Background: Studies have indicated that serum Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) was superior to LDL-C and Non-HDL-C in risk management of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD).

Objectives: The present study was designed to explore the impact of introducing serum Apo B measurement as an additional target, on antilipidemic treatment policy.

Methods: Patients attended the obesity research and therapy unit (ORTU), besides staff and undergraduate students at Al-Kindy College of Medicine, were participate in this cross-sectional study. Lipid profile and Apo B analysis were performed. Participants were stratified according to the classic major ASCVD risk factors endorsed by guidelines.

Results: Comparing (75) obese to (36) non-obese subgroups, significant differences were demonstrated in lipid profile parameters (P< 0.05). Serum Apo B levels were evidently higher in obese patients, (P> 0.05). In multiple regression model, Non-HDL-C was the only significant independent predictor of serum Apo B levels. According to guidelines, serum Apo B was a treatment target only for (9) patients. When serum Apo B was introduced as a third treatment target, additional antilipidemic treatments were need to be initiated in (36) out of the (69) participants already achieving treatment targets.

Conclusions: Introduction of Apo B measurement in the management of ASCVD increases the number of patients in whom antilipidemic treatment should be initiated. The extent of this increase is partially determined by the discordance rate between Apo B and LDL-C in the studied population.