Comparison of serum copper levels between coronary artery disease patients and normal individuals: a case-control study

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in technologically developed and developing countries. Copper, an active redox element, is involved in energy production through various mechanisms. Copper and coronary artery disease can be associated directly, through its direct effect on the vascular endothelium, or indirectly through lipoprotein metabolism. Hence an evaluation of copper in the coronary artery disease individual is important. The aim is to compare the relationship of serum copper levels between coronary artery disease patients and control individuals based on age, sex, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: The study design was a case-control study in which proven coronary artery disease patients attending cardiology OPD were selected as cases. Control individuals were mainly selected from the master health check-up. Serum copper levels, plasma glucose, cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and serum HDL & LDL cholesterol were done. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) was also measured. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 24. Result: The correlation of serum copper level with other quantitative parameters is determined by calculating Pearson’s correlation coefficient among cases and controls. Conclusion: The serum copper level is significantly (p=0.001) higher in CAD patients than in age, sex, DM, and HT-matched controls. The serum copper level has a significant (p=0.001) effect on disease, and the adjusted odds ratio is 1.032 (CI 1.011–1.054). In addition, the serum copper level has a significant (0.01) negative correlation with LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.