Abnormal glucose tolerance and lipid abnormalities in Indian myocardial infarct survivors.

Glucose tolerance and lipid levels in a random sample of 103 Indian patients (96 males and 7 females) with coronary artery disease (CAD) aged between 20 and 55 years were compared with those in a healthy Indian control group matched as regards age and sex. Previous episodes of myocardial infarction were taken as evidence of CAD. Of the patients 44% were overweight. Glucose tolerance was abnormal in 55% of the patients. Both cholesterol and triglyceride values in the patients with CAD were significantly higher than those in the control group. Serum cholesterol levels were over 6,5 mmol/l in 62% of the patients with CAD and serum triglyceride levels were over 2,0 mmol/l in .53%. Males with CAD tended to have lower plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels than the control group (P less than 0,01). There was a significant negative correlation between body mass index and HDL cholesterol, and no correlation was demonstrated between body mass index and total cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Furthermore, when the patients were sub-grouped according to their glucose tolerances it was found that only the triglyceride levels were significantly different (values were higher in those with abnormal glucose tolerance). Our data suggest that abnormal glucose tolerance and lipid aberrations are significant risk factors in Indian patients with CAD.