ABC | Volume 110, Nº1, January 2018

Original Article González-Rivas et al Dyslipidemias in Venezuela Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; 110(1):30-35 Figure 1 – Prevalence of dyslipidemia by nutritional status. *Difference in the prevalence of dyslipidemia according to nutritional status using Chi-square (p < 0.01). High triglycerides: 150 mg/dL; low HDL-c: < 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women; atherogenic dyslipidemia: triglycerides = 150 mg/dL + low HDL-c; hypercholesterolemia: total cholesterol = 240 mg/dL; elevated LDL-c: = 160 mg/dL; mixed dyslipidemia: triglycerides = 150 + total cholesterol = 240 mg/dL. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Prevalence % * * * * * * Normalweight Overweight Obese High triglycerides Low HDL-c Atherogenic dyslipidemia Hypercholesterolemia Elevated LDL-c Mix dyslipidemia Figure 2 – Prevalence of dyslipidemias by abdominal obesity (waist circumference = 94 cm in men and = 90 cm in women). Significant difference of the prevalence of dyslipidemia between abdominal obesity or normal waist circumference *(p < 0.001) †(p = 0.002). High triglycerides = 150 mg/dL; Low HDL-c < 40 mg/dL in men and < 50 mg/dL in women; Atherogenic dyslipidemia triglycerides =150 mg/dL + low HDL-c; Hypercholesterolemia =240 mg/dL; Elevated LDL-c = 160 mg/dL; Mix dyslipidemia triglycerides = 150 + cholesterol = 240 mg/dL. Prevalence % 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Abdominal Obesity Normal Waist Circumference High Triglycerides Low HDL-c Atherogenic Dyslipidemia Hypercholesterolemia Elevated LDL-C Mix Dyslipidemia * * * * † † Successful dietary strategies to reduce dyslipidemias and other metabolic syndrome components should include energy restriction and weight loss, manipulation of dietary macronutrients, and adherence to dietary and lifestyle patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and diet/exercise. 21 After the evaluation of the typical food-based eating and physical activity pattern in the Venezuelan population, culturally-sensitive adaptations of the Mediterranean diet with local foods and physical activity recommendations have been proposed. 5,22 Specific recommendations for patients with dyslipidemia have been also included in local clinical practice guidelines. 23 Some limitations can be observed in the present study. The sample did not represent the entire population of the country; only three of the eight regions of Venezuela were included. Additionally, in the VEMSOLS, eating pattern and physical activity were not investigated. The cut-off point for low HDL and triglycerides used was established for the metabolic syndrome definition, which can limit the comparison with other studies using a level below 35 14 or 40 18 mg/dL to define hypoalphalipoproteinemia. However, despite these limitations, this study is the first report of dyslipidemias in more than one region of Venezuela. A national survey in Venezuela in ongoing (Estudio Venezolano de Salud Cardiometabólica, EVESCAM study). Data collection will be completed in 2017. 33