Pattern of dyslipidemia and associated factors in coronary artery disease patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A cross-sectional secondary data analysis

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors of dyslipidemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Northwest region of Pakistan. METHOD: A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was performed on CAD patients visiting cardiology clinics in selected hospitals from July to December 2019. A total of 362 patients were included via consecutive sampling. Dyslipidemia was operationalized according to the “National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP ATP III) guidelines”. RESULTS: Mixed dyslipidemia was recorded in 92.26% of the patients, while isolated dyslipidemia was observed in 5.24%. A high prevalence of combined dyslipidemia with increased LDL-C, TG, and low HDL-C was noted. Contrarily, elevated LDL-C was the commonest single lipid disorder (84.25%). Hypercholesterolemia was the least common disorder. Increasing BMI was found to be independently associated with hypercholesterolemia (OR: 1.19). Similarly, age (OR: 0.97) and being a rural resident (OR: 2.61) were independent factors associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Furthermore, being an urban resident (OR: 2.25) and increasing BMI (OR: 1.77) were also significantly associated with high LDL-C. CONCLUSION: Mixed dyslipidemias were observed in the majority of the patients. Age, BMI, and residence were noted to be independently associated with abnormal lipids. Early screening and proper management should be encouraged to minimize this significant cardiovascular risk.