Hypertriglyceridemia epidemiology and demographics


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
Hypertriglyceridemia affects approximately one quarter to one third of the population.

Sex

 * ≥ 20 years of age - 35% in men and 25% in women.

Race

 * Mexican American - 40% in men and 35% in women.
 * White American - 37% in men and 25% in women.
 * African American - 21% in men and 14% in women.

Severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides ≥ 2000 mg/dL)

 * 1.8 cases per 10,000 white adults
 * Increased prevalence in diabetes or alcoholism.
 * Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia - approximately 1 case/million
 * Prevalence of Apo C-II deficiency is lower compared to Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency.

International
Prevalence of Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and Apo C-II deficiency in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia is similar to those seen in US population.

Race

 * Prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia are lower in African Americans than in whites.

Gender

 * Mild hypertriglyceridemia (>200 mg/dL) are prevalent more in male (approximately 18%) compared to female (4.2%)
 * Prevalence of Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and Apo C-II deficiency affect both males and females in equal numbers.

Age

 * Triglycerides increase in men until about 50 years and then may decline slightly. Whereas female have a continuous increase with age.
 * Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and Apo C-II deficiency are usually diagnosed in childhood