Abstract

BACKGROUND
The Apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio (apoB/apoA-I) is a powerful clinical indicator of metabolic syndrome. However, few studies have searched for an association between ApoB/ApoA-I and metabolic syndrome in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. We investigated the relation between ApoB/ApoA-I and the risk of metabolic syndrome and its components. METHODS: Subjects were 812 (424 males and 388 females) Korean patients who were being treated for type 2 diabetes at Huh's Diabetes Center in Seoul. The patients were classified into quartiles (lowest:Q1-highest:Q4) of ApoB/ApoA-I by gender. Anthropometric and hematological characteristics and dietary intake using a food frequency questionnaire were assessed. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in our sample was 47.9% in males and 66.5% in females. The odds ratios (OR) for metabolic syndrome and for having its components were significantly increased from Q2 to Q4 quartiles of ApoB/ApoA-I in males (OR = 5.37; 95% CI = 2.98-9.65 and OR = 7.41; 95% CI = 4.04-13.6) and females (OR = 2.57; 95% CI = 1.28-5.15 and OR = 8.49; 95% CI = 4.28-16.8). These trends withstood adjustment for age, duration of type 2 diabetes, fasting blood glucose levels, and macronutrient intake both in males (OR = 5.24; 95% CI = 2.80-9.24 and OR = 7.98; 95% CI = 4.09-15.6) and in females (OR=4.41; 95% CI = 2.26-8.61 and OR = 8.29; 95% CI = 3.85-17.8). CONCLUSION: ApoB/ApoA-I appeared to be independently associated with risk of having metabolic syndrome and its components in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes after adjustment for putative risk factors including macronutrient intake, a particularly important lifestyle factor for patients with type 2 diabetes. A follow-up study of this population should evaluate the mechanisms underlying the relation between ApoB/ApoA-I and metabolic syndrome and its components.

• Keywords: Apolipoprotein A-I;Apolipoprotein B;Metabolic syndrome X;Type 2 diabetes mellitus;