A proposal for the optimal management target for serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in low-risk Japanese workers

Aim: the japan atherosclerosis society guidelines for the diagnosis and prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases 2012 (jas guidelines 2012) indicate that the management target for serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-hdlc) level is 30 mg/dl higher than that for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ldlc) level. however,it remains unclear whether this value is applicable to subjects at a low risk of cardiovascular disease. this study aimed to propose the optimal management target for serum non-hdlc level in low-risk japanese subjects. methods: among 20,909 subjects who underwent annual medical checkup at a japanese company in 2008,we analyzed the data of 17,023 subjects (14,352 men,mean age 37.8±8.6 years) in risk category i according to the jas guidelines 2012. the correlation between ldlc and non-hdlc levels was examined. results: a strong correlation was found between ldlc and non-hdlc levels (r= 0.95,p<0.001). the following regression equation for calculation of non-hdlc was obtained from linear regression analysis: non-hdlc (mg/dl)=1.09×ldlc (mg/dl)+7.79. according to this equation,the optimal management target for non-hdlc level corresponding to that for ldlc level (160 mg/dl) was 180 mg/dl. a multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age,obesity,habitual alcohol intake,and current smoking were significantly associated with non-hdlc ≥180 mg/dl. conclusions: the management target for non-hdlc level is recommended to be set at 20 mg/dl higher than that for the ldlc level (i.e.,180 mg/dl) in low-risk japanese subjects. © 2016,journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. all rights reserved.