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Screening for hypercholesterolaemia in patients with other risk factors for coronary heart disease
Insights
High cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) is common in adults with coronary heart disease risk factors. Screening for high cholesterol is recommended for those with at least two major risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular epidemiology
- Public health research
- Clinical diagnostics
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) poses a significant public health challenge.
- Identifying individuals with hypercholesterolaemia and associated risk factors is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among individuals with major coronary heart disease risk factors.
- To assess the association between specific risk factors and elevated cholesterol levels.
Main Methods:
- A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Singapore.
- A random sample of 261 adults aged 35-69 years participated.
- Data collected via questionnaires, medical examinations, and Reflotron machine analysis.
Main Results:
- 43.2% of participants had at least one major CHD risk factor (smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, family history).
- Individuals with risk factors showed higher rates of hypercholesterolaemia.
- 21.1% of those with two or more risk factors had high cholesterol; corneal arcus was a significant indicator in younger individuals.
Conclusions:
- Major risk factors for coronary heart disease are prevalent in the studied population.
- Serum cholesterol screening is advised for individuals aged 35-69 with at least two major CHD risk factors.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia in individuals with other major risk factors of coronary heart disease and markers of hypercholesterolaemia.
Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional study on a random sample of 261 persons aged between 35 and 69 years residing in the flatted housing estate of West Coast, Singapore, was conducted in 1997. A questionnaire, together with a medical examination and investigation involving the use of Reflotron machine, were used to collect the information required.
Results:
43.2% of the population had at least 1 major risk factor, with 18.1% being smokers, 18.1% with hypertension, 6.5% with diabetes mellitus, 5.1% being obese, and 5.0% with a family history of coronary heart disease. Higher percentages of individuals with hypercholesterolaemia were found when each risk factor was present. 9.5% had 2 or more risk factors, of which, 21.1% had high cholesterol levels. A high prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia that was statistically significant was found amongst subjects with corneal arcus below the age of 60.
Conclusions:
The risk factors of coronary heart disease remain prevalent in our population. We recommend screening for serum cholesterol only in those with at least 2 major risk factors of coronary heart disease in the general population between 35 and 69 years of age.