J Korean Med Assoc.  2016 May;59(5):352-357. 10.5124/jkma.2016.59.5.352.

Epidemiology of dyslipidemia in Korea

• Kim HC

• KMID: 2420633
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2016.59.5.352

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and the second most common cause of death in Korea. Dyslipidemia is among the major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. To develop effective guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia, it is important to understand the epidemiologic characteristics of dyslipidemia in the target population. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in the Korean population has been reported variously from 30% to higher than 60%, but, in general, the prevalence of dyslipidemia among Koreans has been increasing. Among the subtypes of dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyper-LDL cholesterolemia are relatively uncommon in Korea compared to other high-income countries. On the other hand, hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL cholesterolemia are very common in Korea. Recent data shows that total and LDL cholesterol levels are increasing in the Korean population, while triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels have not been changing. As a consequence, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hyper-LDL cholesterolemia is increasing. These data reinforce the need to make a greater effort toward the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

Keyword

Dyslipidemia; Hyperlipidemia; Cholesterol; Prevalence; Epidemiology

MeSH Terms

Cause of Death
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Cholesterol, LDL
Dyslipidemias*
Epidemiology*
Hand
Health Services Needs and Demand
Hypercholesterolemia
Hyperlipidemias
Hypertriglyceridemia
Korea*
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Triglycerides
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Cholesterol, LDL

Figure

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  Figure 1 Sex and age-specific prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among Korean adults. Definition of total cholesterol: ≥240 mg/dL or use of lipid-lowering drugs (Data from Ministry of Health and Welfare; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Korea health statistics 2012: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-3). Seoul: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2013) [6].

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  Figure 2 Sex and age-specific prevalence of hyper-low density lipoprotein cholesterolemia among Korean adults. Definition of hyper-low density lipoprotein cholesterolemia: ≥160 mg/dL or use of lipid-lowering drugs (Data from Ministry of Health and Welfare; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Korea health statistics 2012: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-3). Seoul: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2013) [6].

• 

  Figure 3 Sex and age-specific prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia among Korean adults. Definition of hypertriglyceridemia: ≥200 mg/dL (Data from Ministry of Health and Welfare; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Korea health statistics 2012: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-3). Seoul: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2013) [6].

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  Figure 4 Sex and age-specific prevalence of hypo-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterolemia among Korean adults. Definition of hypo-HDL cholesterolemia: <40 mg/dL in men, <40 mg/dL or <50 mg/dL in women (Data from Ministry of Health and Welfare; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Korea health statistics 2012: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-3). Seoul: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2013) [6].

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  Figure 5 Sex and age-specific prevalence of overall dyslipidemia among Korean adults. Overall dyslipidemia defined as any of the following conditions: hypercholesterolemia (≥240 mg/dL or use of lipid-lowering drugs), hyper-low density lipoprotein cholesterolemia (≥160 mg/dL or use of lipid-lowering drugs), hypertriglyceridemia (≥200 mg/dL); and hypo-high density lipoprotein cholesterolemia (<40 mg/dL) (Data from Ministry of Health and Welfare; Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Korea health statistics 2012: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-3). Seoul: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2013) [6].

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