Socioeconomic and geographic variations in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of dyslipidemia in middle-aged and older Chinese

Abstract

Background and aims: Unevenly socioeconomic development and nutrition transition might bring large variations in the epidemiology of dyslipidemia. We aimed to estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of dyslipidemia in different socioeconomic statuses and geographic regions in China, and to assess the associated factors and comorbidities of dyslipidemia.

Methods: We included participants aged 45 years and above from a nationally representative investigation: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011. Dyslipidemia was defined based on the 2016 guideline of Chinese Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in adults. Multivariable logistic regression was adopted to assess the potentially associated factors and commodities of dyslipidemia.

Results: In 2010, the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 42.84% among people aged 45 years and above. Low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was the most common type of dyslipidemia. The awareness, treatment and control rates among dyslipidemic subjects were 20.27%, 14.41% and 4.94%, respectively. In dyslipidemic patients who were under treatment, the control rate was 34.26%. People aged 50–59 years were at a significantly higher risk of dyslipidemia than those aged 45–49 years. Male gender, living in North China, overweight, obesity, central obesity, hypertension, diabetes and hyperuricemia were significantly associated with a higher risk of dyslipidemia. Current alcohol drinking and underweight were linked to a lower prevalence of dyslipidemia.

Conclusions: Our study revealed a high prevalence of dyslipidemia among middle-aged and older Chinese. The awareness, treatment and control rates were far from ideal and geographic inequality was highlighted. More efforts are needed to prevent and manage dyslipidemia in China.