[Secondary dyslipidemias and their treatment]

Abstract

Secondary dyslipidemias may develop as a result of other diseases or some major exogenous influences. The most common are secondary dyslipidemias due to the following diseases: poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, hypothyreosis, hyperfunction of suprarenal glands, cholestasis, chronic renal diseases (chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome), acute infectious diseases. A very common cause of secondary dyslipidemia is abuse of alcohol. Also some drugs may induce dyslipidemias: corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, less frequently also thiazide diuretics and non-selective beta-blockers. Secondary dyslipidemia is physiologic during pregnancy. If causal treatment of secondary dyslipidemia is possible, hypolipidemic drugs are not indicated. The decision to initiate treatment with hypolipidemic drugs depends on the degree of risk of a fatal cardiovascular event rather than on the blood lipids level. When hypolipidemic treatment is indicated, the choice of the drug and its dose also depends on the type of the primary disease and its severity.