Prevalence of Dyslipidemias in Three Regions in Venezuela: The VEMSOLS Study Results

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of dyslipidemia in multiple regions of Venezuela is unknown. The Venezuelan Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (VEMSOLS) was undertaken to evaluate cardiometabolic risk factors in Venezuela.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in five populations from three regions of Venezuela.

Methods: During the years 2006 to 2010, 1320 subjects aged 20 years or older were selected by multistage stratified random sampling from all households in five municipalities from 3 regions of Venezuela: Lara State (Western region), Merida State (Andean region), and Capital District (Capital region). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical analysis were obtained from each participant. Dyslipidemia was defined according to the NCEP/ATPIII definitions.

Results: Mean age was 44.8 ± 0.39 years and 68.5% were females. The prevalence of lipids abnormalities related to the metabolic syndrome (low HDL-c [58.6%; 95% CI 54.9 - 62.1] and elevated triglycerides [39.7%; 36.1 - 43.2]) were the most prevalent lipid alterations, followed by atherogenic dyslipidemia (25.9%; 22.7 - 29.1), elevated LDL-c (23.3%; 20.2 - 26.4), hypercholesterolemia (22.2%; 19.2 - 25.2), and mix dyslipidemia (8.9%; 6.8 - 11.0). Dyslipidemia was more prevalent with increasing body mass index.

Conclusion: Dyslipidemias are prevalent cardiometabolic risk factors in Venezuela. Among these, a higher prevalence of low HDL is a condition also consistently reported in Latin America.

Figure 1

Prevalence of dyslipidemia by nutritional status. *Difference in the prevalence of dyslipidemia according to nutritional status using Chi-square (p < 0.01). High triglycerides: 150 mg/dL; low HDL-c: < 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women; atherogenic dyslipidemia: triglycerides = 150 mg/dL + low HDL-c; hypercholesterolemia: total cholesterol = 240 mg/dL; elevated LDL-c: = 160 mg/dL; mixed dyslipidemia: triglycerides = 150 + total cholesterol = 240 mg/dL.

Figure 2

Prevalence of dyslipidemias by abdominal obesity (waist circumference = 94 cm in men and = 90 cm in women). Significant difference of the prevalence of dyslipidemia between abdominal obesity or normal waist circumference *(p < 0.001) †(p = 0.002). High triglycerides = 150 mg/dL; Low HDL-c < 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women; Atherogenic dyslipidemia triglycerides =150 mg/dL + low HDL-c; Hypercholesterolemia =240 mg/dL; Elevated LDL-c = 160 mg/dL; Mix dyslipidemia triglycerides = 150 + cholesterol = 240 mg/dL.