Evaluation of Dyslipidaemia among Different Age Groups in Urban South Indians

ABSTRACT

The significant reason for morbidity and mortality in industrialised countries is coronary artery disease. Globally, it is considered as one of the major public health problems. There is emerging evidence of premature coronary artery disease occurring in Asian Indians at least 10 years earlier as compared to other ethnic groups. The most important atherosclerotic risk factor is dyslipidaemia. Recent studies have reported that Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), Triglycerides (TG) levels have increased among young urban population over a 20-year period. Hence, this study was carried out to find out the prevalence of dyslipidaemia among different age groups in urban South Indian population. METHODSThis study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among patients visiting the OPD of Department of General Medicine. The study subjects were divided into 3 groups as per age as 18 - 40 years, 41 - 60 years and > 60 years by involving 1989 subjects of whom 532 were in 18 - 40 years age group, 522 were in 41 - 60 years age group and 935 were over 60 years of age. In this study, fasting serum lipid profile was estimated. RESULTSThe study revealed higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia in the group < 60 years. Statistically significant difference in mean was found with cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides in the age group of 18 - 40 years and more than 60 years. Statistically significant difference was not found between 18 – 40 years and 40 - 60 years for HDL. Mean serum cholesterol was high in the age group 18 – 40 years. The highest mean triglycerides were found in the age group of 41 - 60 years. The highest mean HDL levels were found in the above 60 years age group. CONCLUSIONHigher percentage of dyslipidaemia was found in the age groups less than 60 years. It is also the need of the hour to devise comprehensive strategy for awareness programme for periodically screening of all age groups.