Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality globally, primarily attributed by atherosclerosis, of which dyslipidaemia is one of the main risk factors. There is limited data in Malaysia on the prevalence and awareness of having dyslipidaemia, and the proportion who are treated.
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of (1)dyslipidaemia; (2)awareness of dyslipidaemia and (3)subjects with dyslipidaemia who are treated.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving 11,525 Malaysian subjects from various rural and urban populations, with representations from the three major ethnic groups (age mean + SD: 52.6 + 11.3years; 6487 females, 5038 males). Clinical history and physical examinations were performed and fasting blood samples were collected for the measurement of lipid profiles. Dyslipidaemia was defined by mild, moderate or severe hypercholesterolaemia(HC):TC > 5.2, 6.5 and 7.8mmol/L respectively, or hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG):TG > 1.7 mmol/L, or low HDL-c:females < 1.3, males < 1.0mmol/L. Questionnaires were completed for data on awareness and treatment of dyslipidaemia.
Results: Subjects with HC and HTG were 66.9% and 40.9% respectively. Low HDL-c were found in 15.2% and 74.9% in females and males respectively. Among those with HC, 42.6%, 19.3% and 5.0% had mild, moderate and severe HC respectively. Awareness of dyslipidaemia was only found in 13.9% of the population, of whom only 8.0% were on treatment.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dyslipidaemias in Malaysia, majority of whom are unaware of having the major risk factor for atherosclerosis-related complications such as CAD. Hence, there is an urgent need for coronary risk identification, prevention and intervention to combat the global epidemic of CAD