Clinical Benefit of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling for Advanced Cancers in India.

PURPOSE: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) assay is increasingly used in low-middle-income countries to detect clinically relevant genomic alterations despite its clinical benefits not being well known. Here, we describe the proportion of patients with advanced cancer in India who received targeted therapy for an actionable genetic alteration identified on CGP assays. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study in adult patients with advanced nonhematologic malignancies who underwent a CGP test. If patients received a targeted therapy for ≥ 6 months, they were considered to have obtained a clinical benefit from the medication, whereas those continuing for ≥ 12 months were considered to have attained an exceptional response. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the proportion of patients with subsequent targeted therapy. RESULTS: During 2019-2020, 12 medical oncologists provided CGP reports for 297 patients; 221 met the inclusion criteria. Patients received a median of two lines (range: 0-5) of prior systemic therapy. On the basis of the CGP assay, 21 patients (10%) received targeted therapy. Among them, 33% was for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification (nonbreast cancer) and 19% for HER2 or epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion mutation (lung cancer). After excluding patients with HER2 or epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertions, 8% of 217 patients received targeted therapy. In the overall cohort of 221 patients, clinical benefit was seen in nine patients (4%), of whom two were exceptional responders (1%). CONCLUSION: We observed that in a low-middle-income country setting, 10% of patients received targeted therapy on the basis of CGP assay. Only 4% of patients who underwent CGP testing obtained a clinical benefit.

MRD negative CR after azacitidine and venetoclax in a young patient with AML, unfit for intensive induction followed by ASCT.

A subset of AML patients are unfit for 7+3 induction at the time of diagnosis. Present case highlights the use of azacitidine and venetoclax in a patient with intermediate risk AML with WT-1 mutation,deemed unfit for intensive induction in view of poor general condition and comorbid illness. After venetoclax and azacitidine patient was negative for measurable residual disease but developed cerebellar toxicity after high dose cytarabine. He underwent successful matched sibling allogeneic stem cell transplant and is presently on routine follow up. This case report suggest possible role of this combination even in young patients unfit for intensive induction.

Change in prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease and its risk between 1991-94 to 2010-12 among rural and urban population of National Capital Region, Delhi.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to measure the change in prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) risk among those aged 35-64 years in urban and rural areas of National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, between 1991-1994 (survey 1) and 2010-2012 (survey 2). METHODS: Both surveys used similar sampling methodology and mean ages of participants were similar. A total of 3048 and 2052 subjects were studied in urban Delhi and 2487 and 1917 participants recruited from rural Ballabgarh in survey 1 and in survey 2 respectively. CHD was diagnosed based on a Minnesota coded ECG and Rose angina questionnaire. Data on behavioural, physical, clinical and biochemical parameters were collected using standard methods. CVD Risk of participants was calculated using the gender specific Framingham risk equation. RESULTS: The age and sex standardised prevalence of CHD in urban Delhi increased from 10.3% (95% CI: 9.2-11.4) to 14.1% (95% CI: 12.6-15.6) between the two surveys as compared to an increase from 6.0% (95% CI: 5.0-6.9) to 7.4% (95% CI: 6.3-8.6) in rural Ballabgarh. The highest increase in the prevalence of CHD was reported among urban women (10.1% to 16.6%).The proportion of population with high 10-year CVD risk increased to 4.1% from 1.2% in rural areas as compared to 4.8% from 2.5% in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: The CHD and CVD risk has increased over 20 years period in and around Delhi and the increase was more in rural population and women, traditionally considered to be at low risk.

A Case Report of Newly Diagnosed Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Presenting with Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome and Its Successful Management with Rasburicase.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) commonly occurs in hematological malignancies, but it is very rare in patients with a solid tumor. In cases of solid tumors, TLS usually occurs spontaneously or after the initiation of anticancer therapy, and it has a high mortality rate. This syndrome consists of a constellation of laboratory findings such as hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia known as laboratory TLS. When clinical complications such as seizures, acute renal failure, and cardiac dysrhythmias occur in patients with laboratory TLS, the syndrome is called clinical TLS. The present case report is sixth in the series and probably the first case report of spontaneous TLS in a newly diagnosed patient of epithelial ovarian cancer and also shows the effectiveness of single dose (1.5 mg) of rasburicase along with adequate hydration to rapidly reverse TLS and also timely initiation of definitive treatment. The patient was then able to complete successfully the planned neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery without any long-term sequela.

Changes in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates over 20 years in National Capital Region of India: results from a repeat cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite being one of the leading risk factors of cardiovascular mortality, there are limited data on changes in hypertension burden and management from India. This study evaluates trend in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in the urban and rural areas of India's National Capital Region (NCR). DESIGN AND SETTING: Two representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted in urban and rural areas (survey 1 (1991-1994); survey 2 (2010-2012)) of NCR using similar methodologies. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3048 (mean age: 46.8±9.0 years; 52.3% women) and 2052 (mean age: 46.5±8.4 years; 54.2% women) subjects of urban areas and 2487 (mean age: 46.6±8.8 years; 57.0% women) and 1917 (mean age: 46.5±8.5 years; 51.3% women) subjects of rural areas were included in survey 1 and survey 2, respectively. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Hypertension was defined as per Joint National Committee VII guidelines. Structured questionnaire was used to measure the awareness and treatment status of hypertension. A mean systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg was defined as control of hypertension among the participants with hypertension. RESULTS: The age and sex standardised prevalence of hypertension increased from 23.0% to 42.2% (p<0.001) and 11.2% to 28.9% (p<0.001) in urban and rural NCR, respectively. In both surveys, those with high education, alcohol use, obesity and high fasting blood glucose were at a higher risk for hypertension. However, the change in hypertension prevalence between the surveys was independent of these risk factors (adjusted OR (95% CI): urban (2.3 (2.0 to 2.7)) rural (3.1 (2.4 to 4.0))). Overall, there was no improvement in awareness, treatment and control rates of hypertension in the population. CONCLUSION: There was marked increase in prevalence of hypertension over two decades with no improvement in management.

20-Year Trend of CVD Risk Factors: Urban and Rural National Capital Region of India.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization and the Government of India have set targets to reduce burden of noncommunicable diseases. Information on population level trend of risk factors would provide insights regarding the possibility of achieving them. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the population trends of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the National Capital Region of Delhi over 2 decades. METHODS: Two representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted among men and women ages 35 to 64 years, residing in the urban and rural areas (survey 1 [1991 to 1994] and survey 2 [2010 to 2012]) using similar methodology. The urban sample was collected from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and the rural sample was from the Ballabgarh block of the adjoining state of Haryana. A total of 3,048 and 2,052 subjects of urban areas and 2,487 and 1,917 subjects of rural areas were surveyed in surveys 1 and 2, respectively. Behavioral (smoking and alcohol use), physical (overweight, abdominal obesity, and raised blood pressure), and biochemical risk factors (raised fasting blood glucose and raised total cholesterol) were measured using standard tools. RESULTS: Urban and rural prevalence of overweight, alcohol use, raised blood pressure, and blood glucose increased with increases in age-standardized mean body mass index (urban: 24.4 to 26.0 kg/m2; rural: 20.2 to 23.0 kg/m2), systolic blood pressure (urban: 121.2 to 129.8 mm Hg; rural: 114.9 to 123.1 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (urban: 74.3 to 83.9 mm Hg; rural: 73.1 to 82.3 mm Hg), and fasting glucose (urban: 101.2 to 115.3 mg/dl; rural: 83.9 to 103.2 mg/dl). The smoking prevalence increased in the rural male population. Raised total cholesterol declined in urban and increased significantly in rural populations. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates an overall worsening of population levels of all cardiovascular disease risk factors in National Capital Region over past 20 years, though some signs of stabilization and reversal are seen in urban Delhi.

Registry of Youth Onset Diabetes in India (YDR): Rationale, Recruitment, and Current Status.

BACKGROUND: With the aim of addressing the relative scarcity of information on youth-onset diabetes in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) decided to establish the Registry of People with Diabetes with Young Age at Onset (YDR) in 2006. The major objectives of YDR are to generate information on disease pattern or types of youth-onset diabetes including their geographical variations within India and to estimate the burden of diabetes complications. METHODS: YDR is an observational multicenter clinic based registry enlisting physician diagnosed diabetes in individuals below 25 years of age. Diabetes was classified using symptom based clinical criteria. YDR data collection is coordinated through regional collaborating centers and their interacting reporting centers across India. A baseline and an annual follow-up proformas are used to obtain information on sociodemographic details, clinical profile, and anthropometric and laboratory measurements of the patients. RESULTS: In phase 1, the registry has enrolled 5546 patients, in which type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was the most prevalent (63.9%), followed by youth-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (25.3%). CONCLUSION: This registry provides a unique opportunity to study the natural history of youth-onset diabetes in India.

Prevalence of generalized & abdominal obesity in urban & rural India--the ICMR-INDIAB Study (Phase-I) [ICMR- NDIAB-3].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Overweight and obesity are rapidly increasing in countries like India. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of generalized, abdominal and combined obesity in urban and rural India. METHODS: Phase I of the ICMR-INDIAB study was conducted in a representative population of three States [Tamil Nadu (TN), Maharashtra (MH) and Jharkhand (JH)] and one Union Territory (UT)[Chandigarh (CH)] of India. A stratified multi-stage sampling design was adopted and individuals ≥ 20 yr of age were included. WHO Asia Pacific guidelines were used to define overweight [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m [2] but < 25 kg/m [2]], generalized obesity (GO, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m [2], abdominal obesity (AO, waist circumference ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women) and combined obesity (CO, GO plus AO). Of the 14,277 participants, 13,800 subjects (response rate, 96.7%) were included for the analysis (urban: n = 4,063; rural: n = 9737). RESULTS: The prevalence of GO was 24.6, 16.6, 11.8 and 31.3 per cent among residents of TN, MH, JH and CH, while the prevalence of AO was 26.6, 18.7, 16.9 and 36.1 per cent, respectively. CO was present in 19.3, 13.0, 9.8 and 26.6 per cent of the TN, MH, JH and CH population. The prevalence of GO, AO and CO were significantly higher among urban residents compared to rural residents in all the four regions studied. The prevalence of overweight was 15.2, 11.3, 7.8 and 15.9 per cent among residents of TN, MH, JH and CH, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female gender, hypertension, diabetes, higher socio-economic status, physical inactivity and urban residence were significantly associated with GO, AO and CO in all the four regions studied. Age was significantly associated with AO and CO, but not with GO. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of AO as well as of GO were high in India. Extrapolated to the whole country, 135, 153 and 107 million individuals will have GO, AO and CO, respectively. However, these figures have been estimated from three States and one UT of India and the results may be viewed in this light.

Indian Council of Medical Research consensus document for the management of gall bladder cancer.

The document is based on consensus among the experts and best available evidence pertaining to Indian population and is meant for practice in India.All postcholecystectomy gallbladder specimens should be opened and examined carefully by the operating surgeon and be sent for histopathological examination.All "incidental" gall bladder cancers (GBCs) picked up on histopathological examination should have an expert opinion.Evaluation of a patient with early GBC should include essential tests: A computed tomography (CT) scan (multi-detector or helical) of the abdomen and pelvis for staging with a CT chest or chest X-ray, and complete blood counts, renal and liver function tests. magnetic resonance imaging/positron emission tomography (PET)-CT are not recommended for all patients.For early stage disease (up to Stage IVA), surgery is recommended. The need for adjuvant treatment would be guided by the histopathological analysis of the resected specimen.Patients with Stage IVB/metastatic disease must be assessed for palliative e.g. endoscopic or radiological intervention, chemotherapy versus best supportive care on an individual basis. These patients do not require extensive workup outside of a clinical trial setting.There is an urgent need for multicenter trials from India covering various aspects of epidemiology (viz., identification of population at high-risk, organized follow-up), clinical management (viz., bile spill during surgery, excision of all port sites, adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy) and basic research (viz., what causes GBC).

Glycemic control among individuals with self-reported diabetes in India--the ICMR-INDIAB Study.

AIMS: This study estimated the levels of glycemic control among subjects with self-reported diabetes in urban and rural areas of four regions in India. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Phase I of the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) Study was conducted in a representative population of three states of India (Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand) and one Union Territory (Chandigarh) and covering a population of 213 million people. Using a stratified multistage sampling design, individuals ≥20 years of age were recruited. Glycemic control among subjects with self-reported diabetes was assessed by measurement of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), estimated by the Variant™ II Turbo method (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). RESULTS: Among the 14,277 participants in Phase I of INDIAB, there were 480 subjects with self-reported diabetes (254 urban and 226 rural). The mean HbA1c levels were highest in Chandigarh (9.1±2.3%), followed by Tamil Nadu (8.2±2.0%), Jharkhand (8.2±2.4%), and Maharashtra (8.0±2.1%). Good glycemic control (HbA1c <7%) was observed only in 31.1% of urban and 30.8% of rural subjects. Only 22.4% of urban and 15.4% of rural subjects had reported having checked their HbA1c in the past year. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed younger age, duration of diabetes, insulin use, and high triglyceride levels to be significantly associated with poor glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: The level of glycemic control among subjects with self-reported diabetes in India is poor. Urgent action is needed to remedy the situation.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia in urban and rural India: the ICMR-INDIAB study.

AIM: To study the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidemia in a large representative sample of four selected regions in India. METHODS: Phase I of the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study was conducted in a representative population of three states of India [Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand] and one Union Territory [Chandigarh], and covered a population of 213 million people using stratified multistage sampling design to recruit individuals ≥20 years of age. All the study subjects (n = 16,607) underwent anthropometric measurements and oral glucose tolerance tests were done using capillary blood (except in self-reported diabetes). In addition, in every 5th subject (n = 2042), a fasting venous sample was collected and assayed for lipids. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed using National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) guidelines. RESULTS: Of the subjects studied, 13.9% had hypercholesterolemia, 29.5% had hypertriglyceridemia, 72.3% had low HDL-C, 11.8% had high LDL-C levels and 79% had abnormalities in one of the lipid parameters. Regional disparity exists with the highest rates of hypercholesterolemia observed in Tamilnadu (18.3%), highest rates of hypertriglyceridemia in Chandigarh (38.6%), highest rates of low HDL-C in Jharkhand (76.8%) and highest rates of high LDL-C in Tamilnadu (15.8%). Except for low HDL-C and in the state of Maharashtra, in all other states, urban residents had the highest prevalence of lipid abnormalities compared to rural residents. Low HDL-C was the most common lipid abnormality (72.3%) in all the four regions studied; in 44.9% of subjects, it was present as an isolated abnormality. Common significant risk factors for dyslipidemia included obesity, diabetes, and dysglycemia. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dyslipidemia is very high in India, which calls for urgent lifestyle intervention strategies to prevent and manage this important cardiovascular risk factor.

A hospital based study of biochemical markers of bone turnovers & bone mineral density in north Indian women.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The osteoporotic risk for women increases soon after menopause. Bone turnover markers are known to be associated with bone loss and fracture risk. This study was aimed to assess bone turnover using bone markers and their correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) in pre- and post-menopausal women. METHODS: A total of 255 healthy women (160 pre- and 95 post-menopausal) were enrolled. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase (sBAP) and serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) were measured to evaluate the bone formation and resorption, respectively. Bone mineral density was determined at lumbar spine (L2-L4) anteroposteriorly, femoral neck and Ward's triangle using Prodigy dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) system. The comparison of years since menopause with respect to BMD and bone markers was also evaluated. RESULTS: NTX and sBAP showed significant negative correlation with BMD of femur neck and Ward's triangle in postmenopausal women. BMD of all three sides were significant variables for NTX and BMD of femur neck and Ward's triangle for sBAP in postmenopausal women. BMD lumbar spine was a significant variable for sBAP in premenopausal women. The mean values of NTX increased significantly with increase in the duration of years since menopause. The BMD of all three sides decreased significantly with increase in the duration of years since menopause. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Serum NTX and sBAP were inversely correlated to BMD of femur neck and Ward's triangle in post-menopausal women. Simultaneous measurements of NTX and BMD in the north Indian women, suggest that bone resorption in women with low BMD remains high after menopause.

The Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study: methodological details.

BACKGROUND: Currently available estimates of diabetes prevalence in India are based on published data derived from very few studies. The Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study is a community-based survey conceived with the aim of obtaining the prevalence rates of diabetes in India as a whole, covering all 28 states, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and two of the union territories in the mainland of India, with a total sample size of 124,000 individuals. METHODS: A stratified multistage sampling design has been used. In all study subjects, a structured questionnaire was administered and anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured. Fasting capillary blood glucose was first determined using a glucose meter. An oral glucose load was then administered to all subjects except those with self-reported diabetes, and the 2 h post-load capillary blood glucose was estimated. In every fifth subject, a fasting venous sample was collected for measurement of lipids and creatinine, a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed, and dietary assessment questionnaire was administered. In all diabetic subjects, an additional diabetes questionnaire was used and a fasting venous sample drawn for glycated hemoglobin. RESULTS: All biological samples collected were analyzed in a central laboratory. All data collected were stored electronically. Quality control was achieved through multiple tiers of checks. CONCLUSIONS: The ICMR-INDIAB study is the first of its kind attempting to provide accurate and comprehensive state- and national-level data on diabetes prevalence in India.

TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratio and C-reactive protein as markers of the inflammatory response in CAD-prone North Indian patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are responsible for the modulation of immunological and inflammatory processes and play a significant role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is the major pro-inflammatory cytokine while interleukin-10 (IL-10) is the major anti-inflammatory cytokine in patients with CAD. We determined the significance of the TNF/IL-10 ratio and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients of acute myocardial infarction as a marker for CAD in the atherosclerosis-prone North Indian population. METHODS: The study group comprised of 100 patients of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. Lipid profile, apolipoprotein-A (Apo-A), apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B) and CRP concentrations were estimated using commercially available kits in all patients and control subjects. TNF-alpha, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and IL-10 concentrations were assayed by using commercially available ELISA kits. RESULTS: The TNF-alpha concentrations were significantly higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction (86.9+/-4.7 pg/ml), as compared to control subjects (7.1+/-0.67 g/ml). AMI patients also exhibited higher serum concentrations of IL-10 (5.74+/-0.82 pg/ml), in comparison to the controls (1.22+/-0.06 pg/ml). The ratio of TNF-alpha to IL-10 was significantly increased in cases (15.2+/-1.13), in comparison to healthy subjects (5.8+/-0.64). CONCLUSIONS: These cytokines underline the role of the immune processes during unstable atherosclerosis and in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease in the Indian context.

Calcium supplementation for the prevention of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on blood pressure and maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHOD: A total of 524 healthy primigravidas with a blood pressure less than 140/90 mm Hg were randomly assigned between the 12th and 25th weeks to receive 2 g of elemental calcium or placebo and were followed-up until delivery. RESULTS: The incidence of pre-eclampsia was significantly less in the calcium than in the placebo group (4.0% vs 12.0%; odds ratio [OR], 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15-0.63); the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures at study completion were different in the calcium and placebo group (P=0.007 and P=0.02). The risk for preterm delivery was less in the calcium (7.0%) than in the placebo (12.7%) group (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28-0.93). The mean baseline calcium intake was 313.83+/-203.25 mg/day (range, 85.71-910.71 mg/day), which is lower than the recommended dietary intake of 1000 mg, and the 24-hour urinary calcium excretion was 130.82+/-67.44 mg/dL (range, 40.5-387 mg/dL). CONCLUSION: Calcium supplementation appears to reduce the occurrence of pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery in primigravidas who have a daily dietary calcium intake less than the recommended dietary allowances.

TAFI antigen level variability in young healthy Asian Indians; first report from Asia.

Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolytic Inhibitor (TAFI) is a plasma protein, which inhibits fibrinolysis by removing carboxyterminal lysine residues from partially degraded fibrin thereby decreasing plasminogen binding on its surface. In this study we have investigated the antigenic level variability (Inter and Intraindividual) of Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor in 120 healthy Asian Indians since no data on this is available regarding this population. TAFI antigen levels did not show a normal distribution in our population (p<0.001). Median TAFI antigen levels were found to be 11.683 microg/ml. It ranged from 33.9-202.5%of normal pool plasma (3.9-23.5 microg/ml). TAFI antigenic level showed high level of variability in the Indian population (coefficient of variation: 37.4%). TAFI antigenic levels were stable intraindividually (p=0.218).

Apo-B/apo-AI ratio: a better discriminator of coronary artery disease risk than other conventional lipid ratios in Indian patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world and is rapidly assuming epidemic proportions in developing countries including India. This has led to extensive research to determine the risk factors unique to this group which may predispose to the elevated risk of this disease. Important amongst them are lipoproteins, homocysteine, lipoprotein (a), pro-inflammatory cytokines etc. The following study was undertaken to evaluate the role of the apolipoprotein-B100 (apo-B)/apolipoprotein-AI (apo-AI) ratio as a predictor of CAD risk in the atherosclerosis-prone Indian population, as compared to other conventional lipid ratios. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 100 clinically assessed patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosed on electrocardiographic and biochemical criteria and 100 age-matched healthy control subjects. Apo-B and apo-AI levels were estimated by the immunoturbidimetric method, using kits from Randox, UK. Lipid profile was determined using standard enzymatic methods. The exponential regression coefficient beta was calculated for total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL), TC-HDL/HDL, low-density lipoprotein ( LDL) cholesterol/HDL and apo-B/apo-AI ratios. RESULTS: The TC/HDL ratio was 5.15 +/- 1.7 and 3.45 +/- 0.87 in patients with AMI and control subjects, respectively (P< 0.001). The TC-HDL/HDL ratio was 4.61 +/- 2.6 and 2.22 +/- 1.14 in the patients with AMI and the control subjects (P <0.001). The LDL/HDL ratio was 3.32 +/- 1.5 in the AMI patients and 1.84 +/- 0.78 in the control subjects (P < 0.001); whilst the apo-B/apo-AI ratio in the patients with AMI was 0.96 +/- 0.30 and 0.71 +/- 0.20 in the control subjects (P <0.001). The exponential value of the regression coefficient beta (Exp [beta]) for apo-B/apo-AI ratio was 111.9, as compared to 4.4 for the LDL/HDL ratio, 3.5 for the TC/HDL ratio and 2.2 for the TC-HDL/HDL ratio, though all the lipid ratios were significantly higher in cases than in control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the apo-B/apo-AI ratio is a better discriminator of CAD risk in the atherosclerosis-prone Indian population, than any of the conventional lipid ratios. The reduction of value of the apo-B/apo-AI ratio may drastically decrease the risk for CAD. Hence, the apo-B/apo-AI ratio may be suggested as an alternative to other lipid ratios fo risk assessment in patients with CAD.