Prevalence of dyslipidemia and its associated factors among Jordanian adults

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia, which has been closely linked to pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, is a key independent modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Estimation of the prevalence of dyslipidemia ensures proper planning of health actions for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of various types of dyslipidemia and determine their associated factors among adults in north of Jordan. METHOD: Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional study that included a random sample of 1121 Jordanians aged 25 years and older. High total cholesterol (TC) was defined as TC >= 200 mg/dL and hypertriglyceridemia as serum triglycerides level >= 150 mg/dL. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was defined as serum HDL-C <40 mg/dL. High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was defined as serum LDL-C >= 130 mg/dL. RESULTS: Of a total of 1121 subjects, 48.8% had high TC level, 40.7% had high LDL-C, 40.1% had low HDL-C, 43.6% had high triglyceride levels, and 75.7% had at least one abnormal lipid level. Age was associated with high triglycerides, high LDL-C, and high TC. Men were more likely than women to have a high triglycerides level and low HDL-C. Compared with people with a body mass index <25, overweight and obese subjects had greater odds of having high triglycerides, high TC, and low HDL-C. Diabetes was associated with increased odds of high triglycerides only. CONCLUSION: The prevalence dyslipidemia is high in Jordan, which necessitates appropriate the institution of community-based intervention strategies to prevent and manage cardiovascular risk factors. (C) 2010 National Lipid Association. All rights reserved.