The DYSlipidemia International Study (DYSIS)-Egypt: A report on the prevalence of lipid abnormalities in Egyptian patients on chronic statin treatment

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease and its associated comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia, represent a significant socioeconomic burden, particularly in low- to middle-income countries. Pharmacological intervention with statins, which reduce low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels, has been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular risk. This study assessed the prevalence of lipid abnormalities as well as risk factors for dyslipidemia in Egyptian patients on chronic statin treatment. DYSIS is a cross-sectional, observational, multinational study. Key eligibility criteria were age of at least 45 years and stable statin treatment for at least three months. In the Egyptian DYSIS cohort, a total of 1466 patients, 920 men and 532 women, were enrolled in 24 different centers. Patient characteristics and lipid measurements were documented, and multivariate regression modeling was used to assess factors associated with dyslipidemia. Most patients (85%) were defined as being at very-high risk of cardiovascular disease. Gender-specific differences included higher rates of tobacco smoking and metabolic syndrome in men and women, respectively. Goal LDL–C levels were not achieved by 67.2% of the population, rising to 72% in both high- and very-high risk patients. Factors independently associated with LDL–C levels not being at goal included diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and high blood pressure. Despite chronic statin treatment, two-thirds of patients in the DYSIS-Egypt study had elevated LDL–C levels. A dual strategy, comprising modification of lifestyle factors together with novel treatment options, appears to be necessary to combat the rise in cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality.