APOLIPOPROTEIN-E TO APOLIPOPROTEIN-B RATIO - A MARKER FOR TYPE-III HYPERLIPOPROTEINEMIA

Apolipoproteins B and E were determined in 40 patients with type III h yperlipoproteinaemia (familial dysbetalipoproteinaemia) and in 48 pati ents with other types of hyperlipoproteinaemia matched for cholesterol and triacylglycerols. In type III patients, apolipoprotein E was incr eased and apolipoprotein B was lower than in other types of hyperlipop roteinaemia. The apolipoprotein E to apolipoprotein B ratio almost com pletely discriminated between type III and other types of hyperlipopro teinaemia. Assuming a cut-off value of 0.09 for the apolipoprotein E t o apolipoprotein B ratio, diagnostic sensitivity was 95% and specifici ty was 88%. It is concluded that the apolipoprotein E to apolipoprotei n B ratio represents the first-line screening quantity of choice for t he identification of patients with type III hyperlipoproteinaemia in t he clinical laboratory.