The study, published in the April issue of Diabetes Care, reinforces that LDL cholesterol may not be the best way to quantify a patient’s risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Cardiometabolic Risk (CMR) is associated with Type 2 Diabetes and CVD – obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and hypertension are risk factors that often cluster together. ApoB and LDL particle concentration appear to be more closely associated with these markers of CMR than LDL cholesterol or non-HDL cholesterol. Subsequently, lipoprotein abnormalities are commonly found in patients with CMR. According to the consensus statement, ApoB and LDL particle number by NMR appear to be more discriminating measures of the adequacy of LDL lowering therapies than are traditional LDL and HDL cholesterol measures.

"Several studies have shown that LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) poorly characterizes lipid abnormalities in patients with cardiometabolic risk," says Robert S. Rosenson, MD, Director of Lipoprotein Disorders and Clinical Atherosclerosis Research, University of Michigan School of Medicine and presenter at the consensus panel meeting. "Additionally, LDL-P concentrations, compared to LDL-C and non HDL-C, have been shown to be stronger predictors of cardiovascular risk."

The NMR LipoProfile® test, developed by LipoScience, Inc., is the only test that quantifies LDL particle number (LDL-P) using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. LDL particle information is used by clinicians to monitor the effect of lipid altering interventions, such as statins, in the management of a patient’s cardiovascular health by lowering LDL particle number (LDL-P).

Studies show that low concentrations of LDL particles are associated with fewer cardiovascular disease related events than equivalently low levels of LDL cholesterol; data most recently published from the Framingham Offspring study in December 2007.1

“This consensus statement further demonstrates the critical role that the NMR LipoProfile® test can play for the millions of people with diabetes or cardiovascular disease risk,” says Rick Brajer, Chief Executive Officer and President, LipoScience, Inc. “Measuring LDL particle number by NMR presents physicians and patients with the opportunity to better manage cardiometabolic risk.”-Dorland Global Public Relations