ABSTRACT
Background Despite aggressive treatment aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels with statins, there is a high residual prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, which may depend on plasma cholesterol transported in other atherogenic lipoproteins. Aims To describe non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels in the Chilean population and their association with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. To evaluate compliance with non-HDL-C therapeutic goals -according to individual cardiovascular risk- at different levels of triglycerides, in comparison with LDL-C goal achievement. Material and Methods: We analyzed data from 2,792 Chilean subjects aged ≥ 15 years who were included in the 2009-2010 National Health Survey and had valid data for blood lipids, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Results Forty five percent of subjects had high non-HDL-C levels. The proportion of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with high non-HDL-C levels was 81 and 42%, respectively (p < 0.01). A significant discordance was observed in the achievement of therapeutic objectives when LDL-C or non-HDL-C levels were considered, particularly in presence of triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dl. Namely, 8% of the population showed elevated levels of high non-HDL-C despite adequate LDL-C levels. Conclusions Evaluation and management of elevated non-HDL-C in patients with adequate levels of LDL-C seems worthwhile considering the discordance observed between these blood cholesterol fractions. This strategy may be effective to reduce the residual cardiovascular risk in the Chilean population.