Prevalence and Determinants of Dyslipidemia: Data from a Saudi University Clinic

Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between demographic factors and dyslipidemia in Saudi Arabia is not completely explored.

This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the lipid profile, determine the proportion and identify significant demographic determinants of dyslipidemia among patients who have undergone lipid profile analysis in a university multispecialty clinic.

The results of lipid profile examination of 1,541 King Faisal University clinic patients from 1 April, 2014 to 7 March, 2016 were compiled and subjected to descriptive and analytical statistics using STATA MP version 14. Multivariable logistic regression model using Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was fitted to analyze the independent predictors of dyslipidemia.

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia, and hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia were 13.8%, 17.0%, 40.0% 12.85%, respectively. Logistic regression revealed that in comparison with those who were 20 years old and below, those who were between the age of 40-49 years were 4.5 times more likely to have hypercholesterolemia and 3.5 times more likely to have hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia. Similarly, those who were 30-39 years old were 4.3 times and 3 times more likely to have hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, respectively. The same stage group was 3 times more likely to develop hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia. Females were 1.4 times more like to have hypercholesterolemia; non-Saudis were nearly twice as likely to develop hypertriglyceridemia than Saudis.

Hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia was the most prevalent form of dyslipidemia. Age, gender and nationality were significant determinants of specific types of dyslipidemia.