In order to measure the relationship between the atherogenic lipoprotein-lipid phenotype estimated by the apolipoprotein (apo) B/apo AI ratio and intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), Junyent et al. conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 131 patients with FCHL who were compared to 190 age and sex matched controls. IMT was measured in all participants with B-mode ultrasound imaging. As expected, FCHL patients had a higher mean IMT than controls. In FCHL patients, the independent IMT predictors were age, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, family history of cardiovascular disease, the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio, and the apo B/apo AI ratio. The latter had the strongest association with IMT (β=0.422, p<0.001). Based on these results, the authors concluded that inherent lipid abnormalities should be considered as the main determinant of this condition in patients with FCHL.
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