The Familial Clustering of Dyslipidemia in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease with Markedly Elevated LDL Cholesterol – A Hospital Based Study in South Kerala Population

Abstract

Background High cholesterol level has both an environmental as well as a genetic component. Our aim was to determine the familial clustering of dyslipidemia by screening the relatives of patients with LDL colesterol ≥190 mg/dl. Methods We performed a cross sectional study to find out the familial clustering of dyslipidemia. The lipid profile of the relatives was also compared with the normal population. Patients within the age group of 18-80 years were included for the study. Only those patients giving consent were included in the study. Study duration was for a period of one year. Cluster sampling technique was used for the study. Results Among the 50 patients studied, 31(62%) were males and 19 (38%) were females. All of them had LDL cholesterol ≥190 mg/dl. The mean age was 58.4 ±10.5 years. The mean age of the relatives was 39.1 ±10.6 years. The mean total cholesterol level for the relatives is 215±36.7. The mean LDL level for the relatives is 135.5±32.9. Total cholesterol was ≥240mg/dL in 18% of the relatives. LDL was in ≥ 160 mg/dL in 16% of the relatives and in ≥190mg/dL in 10% of the relatives. Total cholesterol and LDL levels are significantly elevated in the relatives of patients with very high LDL cholesterol compared to normal controls (p<0.01). Total cholesterol/ HDL ratio was also significantly elevated in relatives of patients compared with normal controls