Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to apolipoprotein B ratio is independently associated with metabolic syndrome in Korean men

The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to apolipoprotein B (LDL-C/apo B) ratio is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between LDL-C/apo B ratio and metabolic syndrome in Korean men. This study included 499 men (mean age, 49.1 years) without metabolic syndrome at baseline who were followed for an average of 2.9 years. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to baseline LDL-C/apo B ratio quartiles: greater than 1.243 in group I, 1.164 to 1.243 in group II, 1.070 to 1.163 in group III, and less than 1.070 in group IV. The incidence of metabolic syndrome at follow-up was compared according to LDL-C/apo B ratio group. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The overall incidence of metabolic syndrome was 9.6%: 1.6% in the highest quartile (group I), 9.7% in group II, 11.2% in group III, and 16.0% in the lowest quartile (group IV) (P = .001). In multivariable regression analysis model adjusting for age, lifestyle status, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, LDL-C, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, groups II, III, and IV had significantly increased odds ratio for the incidence of metabolic syndrome compared with the highest LDL-C/apo B quartile (group I). The LDL-C/apo B ratio is independently associated with metabolic syndrome in Korean men, indicating that this ratio may provide additional information when assessing cardiometabolic risks and predicting future development of metabolic syndrome.