Usefulness of lipid ratios and atherogenic index of plasma in obese Moroccan women with or without metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES Our study aimed to study the impact of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) on lipoprotein profiles and cardiovascular risk through lipid ratios and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in Moroccan women. METHODS Our study included 240 Moroccan women, aged 53.31 +/- 8.51 years, divided into three groups: controls (group 1, n = 80), obese without MetS (group 2, n = 80) and obese with MetS (group 3, n = 80). Anthropometric and lipid measurements were taken and specific lipid ratios assessed, as well as Non-HDL cholesterol (Non-HDL-C) and atherogenic index of plasma (ALP). RESULTS Group 2 presented similar lipoprotein profiles compared with group 1. Group 3 had higher triglyceride (TG) levels than group 1, which, in turn, increased HDL and AIP values. Dyslipidemia in group 3 was demonstrated by higher TG levels, lipid ratios and AIP and lower HDL-C levels compared with group 2. All of these abnormalities are responsible for elevations of risks of cardiovascular diseases. Closer associations were found between cardiovascular risk and lipid ratios and AIP than lipids alone. CONCLUSION Our study confirms that MetS affects the serum lipoprotein profile of obese women. Lipid ratios, non HDL-C and AIP remain useful tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular disease by their associations with lipid parameters and their high predictive values.