Cardiometabolic Risk in Hyperlipidemic Men and Women

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Hyperlipidemia affects men and women differently.
• Understanding sex-specific metabolic and clinical characteristics is crucial for targeted treatment.
• Previous research indicates potential disparities in cardiovascular risk factors between sexes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate sex-specific differences in metabolic and clinical characteristics of treated hyperlipidemic men and women.
• To analyze metabolic and nutritional habits in hyperlipidemic patients with prediabetes, stratified by sex.
• To compare vascular and metabolic profiles between hyperlipidemic men and women.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study assessing vascular and metabolic characteristics.
• Inclusion of 35 hyperlipidemic women and 64 hyperlipidemic men.
• Sex-specific analysis of metabolic and nutritional habits in patients with impaired glucose regulation (prediabetes).

Main Results:

• Hyperlipidemic women were older, with favorable high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), triglycerides (TG), and TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio, but higher lipoprotein-a.
• Hyperlipidemic men exhibited higher liver-specific parameters and body weight, with greater physical activity.
• No significant differences were observed in metabolic syndrome, glycemic parameters, or intima-media thickness (IMT) between sexes.

Conclusions:

• Hyperlipidemic women presented with more favorable lipid parameters and liver enzymes but similar vascular morphology and insulin sensitivity compared to hyperlipidemic men.
• Age was a differentiating factor, with women being older.
• These findings underscore the importance of considering sex-specific factors in managing hyperlipidemia.