Epidemiology of dyslipidemia and economic burden on the healthcare system

A literature review was undertaken to describe trends in the prevalence of dyslipidemia and the associated medical costs. The search focused on recent trials showing effects of treatment on strokes and in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Online databases were searched for recent studies analyzing prevalence and/or cost of dyslipidemia, stroke, and DM. More than 43,000 papers have been written on dyslipidemia, with 700 considering costs and more than 100 focusing on the costs of dyslipidemia alongside stroke or DM. Findings in almost every case point toward high costs associated with dyslipidemia and cost-effective therapeutic options for treatment. The findings indicate that dyslipidemia is widespread and imposes substantial costs on the healthcare system. Treatment of elevated cholesterol and mixed lipid disorders using statins may relieve some of the burden, as recently noted for patients with DM and stroke.