Abnormal serum lipoprotein levels as a risk factor for the development of human lenticular opacities
Date
2003-04
Authors
Meyer, D.
Parkin, D.
Maritz, F. J.
Liebenberg, P. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Clinics Cardiv Publishing
Abstract
Aim: To determine whether an association exists between
the different plasma lipoprotein constituents and the prevalence
of lenticular opacities in dyslipidaemic subjects.
Methods: Adult patients (n = 115) of both genders were
included if their fasting total serum cholesterol concentrations
exceeded the 95th percentile of normal or their
serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) : high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) ratios exceeded 5. Patients were
excluded if they suffered from any condition known to
cause, or predispose them to, elevated lipoprotein levels
or lenticular opacification. Lenticular changes were
assessed by means of a slit-lamp through the fully dilated
pupil.
Results: An extremely strong association (p < 0.0001) was
found to exist between HDL cholesterol levels and the
development of lens opacities. Below an HDL-C level of
1.5 mmol/l subjects had a seven-fold higher calculated
probability of falling in the lens opacity subgroup than
those with HDL-C levels above 1.5 mmol/l [odds ratio =
7.33 (95% CI = 2.06–26.10; p = 0.001)]. An equally strong
association was found between high (>5) LDL:HDL
ratios and the development of lens opacities (p < 0.0003).
The risk of falling into the cataract subgroup if the individual’s
LDL:HDL ratio exceeded 5 was 2.35 (95% CI =
1.09–5.04; p = 0.014).
Conclusions: This study strongly suggests that an
association exists between low levels of HDL cholesterol
and high LDL:HDL ratios on one hand and the development
of adult lens opacification on the other.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.cvja.co.za
Keywords
Lipoprotein, Lenticular opacification, HDL cholesterol, Dyslipidaemia, Crystalline lens -- Diseases, Hypercholesteremia
Citation
Meyer, D., Parkin, D., Maritz, F.J. & Liebenberg, P.H. 2003. Abnormal serum lipoprotein levels as a risk factor for the development of human lenticular opacities. Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, 14(2):60 - 64.