Martin SS, Blaha MJ, Elshazly MB, Toth PP, Kwiterovich PO, Blumenthal RS, Jones SR. Comparison of a novel method vs the Friedewald equation for estimating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels from the standard lipid profile. JAMA 2013;310:2061-8.
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1779534
In conjunction with the published manuscript, we developed this website to provide free online access to automated calculation of LDL cholesterol by the Martin/Hopkins method using an Excel-based calculator or Stata .do file. It is anticipated that the primary use will be for research, whereas for clinical purposes the Martin/Hopkins can be directly integrated into lab IT systems or calculated using the free smartphone application available in the Apple App store and Google Play store. Rather than using a fixed factor of 5, the Martin/Hopkins calculation matches each person with an individualized factor to estimate VLDL cholesterol from triglycerides. The inputs are the three direct measures from the standard lipid profile: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. LDL cholesterol is calculated in mg/dL as:
Total Cholesterol – HDL Cholesterol – Triglycerides/Individualized Factor
Since the speed of the Excel file depends on its size and the computer, we provide versions of various sizes. Select a file based on the number of rows or patients that you need to calculate. We have password-protected the functions in the calculator to ensure that they are not altered inadvertently.
In your Stata dataset, label non-HDL-C (total cholesterol - HDL cholesterol) as "nonhdl" and triglycerides as "tg", then download and run the Stata .do file (link below). Two new variables will be created in your Stata dataset: 1) "factor" (the individualized conversion factor) and 2) "ldl180" (LDL-C by the Martin/Hopkins method).
Questions Please direct any questions to Seth S. Martin by email: [email protected]
Acknowledgment Many thanks to Dan Bodami, Satish Misra, Gorkem Sevinc, and Katie Hazard for their technical expertise in creating this website.
This Martin/Hopkins LDL-C calculation has been extensively validated and recommended as a preferred method for assessing LDL-C in clinical practice.
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