Variability in calculating non-HDL atherogenic ……. Zanco J. Med. Sci., Vol. 18, No. (3), 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.15218/zjms.2014.0037 805 Variability in calculating non-HDL atherogenic lipoprotein in reference to atherogenic index in type 2 diabetes Received: 24/9/2013 Accepted: 10/12/2013 Abstract * Department of Clinical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq. Introduction Diabetes and its complications are major health-care burden worldwide. Dyslipidae- mia is frequently present in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in which its predominant features include increased flux of free fatty acids (FFA), high triglyceride (TG) and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels, a predominance of small, dense (atherogenic) low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) particles, raised apolipo- protein (apo) B values and postprandial hyperlipidaemia may also be present. 1 Atherogenic lipid triad; high serum TG levels, low serum HDL-c levels and a pre- ponderance of small dense LDL-c particles are well seen in T2D complicated with insulin resistance and/or the metabolic syndrome. 2 In T2D, LDL particles are more likely to be vulnerable to oxidation process, an early process of atherosclerosis, due to the impairment of antioxidant potential of LDL particles. 3 Therefore, direct measure- ment of LDL particles in T2D may give a spurious result. Also the analytical meth- ods that used in measurement of small dense particles like, ultracentrifugation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spec- troscopy and gradient-gel electrophoresis are laborious and expensive for general clinical use. 4 Some authors believe to determine the non-HDL concentration or Background and objective: Diabetes mellitus is a disorder that is often associated with cardiovascular diseases and underlying lipid abnormalities. The aim of this study was to calculate the serum level of LDL indirectly, using different equations in type 2 diabetes patients in an attempt to focus on the variation of estimating level which reflected on the decision to prescribe lipid lowering agents. Methods: A total of 70 patients with type 2 diabetes using oral hypoglycemic agents alone and/or once- or twice-daily insulin, their non-HDL atherogenic lipoprotein in reference to atherogenic index were conducted in Martyr Layla Qasm Center for Diabetes Mellitus in Erbil, Iraq, during the period from June, 2011 to January, 2013. Results: Age of type 2 diabetes patients ranged from 29 to 82 years with a mean age of 56.6 years with duration of disease ranged between 1.2-39 years. Results revealed that the mean fasting serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were 181.9 mg/dl and 8.428%, respectively. The mean value of serum triglycerides was 171.5 mg/dl which is higher than the cut-off normal value of 150 mg/dl. Results showed significant correlation between atherogenic index and calculated atherogenic lipoprotein and significant correlation between atherogenic index and waist circumference as an indicator of central obesity. Conclusion: The mean body mass index value indicated that the patients were obese and the mean value of waist circumference did not reach the cut-off level of central obesity. The mean value of atherogenic index indicated that the patients were at increased risk of cardiovascular events. Estimation of LDL value from the direct measurement of lipid profile in type 2 diabetes with high serum triglyceride level is not a reliable method. Keywords: type 2 diabetes, atherogenic index. Maysoon Al-Haideri *