Prevalence, patterns and determinants of dyslipidaemia among South African adults with comorbidities

The present study assessed the prevalence, patterns and determinants of dyslipidaemia among South African adults with multi-morbidities. In this study, 614 individuals with DM and hypertension were recruited. Dyslipidaemia was defined as elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC) ≥ 5.2 mmol/L and/or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 2.6 mmol/L, triglycerides (TG) ≥ 1.8 mmol/L and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) < 1 mmol/L for men and < 1.2 mmol/L for women. Multivariate regression model (adjusted) analysis was used to identify the significant determinants of dyslipidaemia. The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 76.7% (n = 471), with females showing the highest prevalence 357 (75.79%). Elevated TG (62.21%) was the most prevalent form of dyslipidemia. Only 103 (16.77%) participants were on statin therapy. The multivariate logistic regression model analysis (adjusted) showed that, the Zulu ethnicity (AOR = 2.45; 95%CI 1.48-4.05) was associated with high TC. DM (AOR = 2.00; 95%CI 1.30-3.06) and the female sex (AOR = 2.54; 95%CI 1.56-4.12) were associated with low HDL-C. Obesity (AOR = 1.57; 95%CI 1.12-2.21) and the Zulu ethnicity (AOR = 1.60; 95%CI 1.00-2.54) were associated with elevated LDL-C. DM (AOR = 2.32; 95%CI 1.61-3.34) was associated with elevated TG. We found a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia. The study further demonstrated that prevention and treatment of dyslipidaemia should be prioritised among individuals with multi-morbidities.