Dyslipidaemia

Question 1

What is dyslipidaemia?

Answer 1

Abnormal concentration of lipids in the blood

high LDL, low HDL

Question 2

What is hyperlipidaemia?

Answer 2

elevated blood lipid levels (total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides)
e.g. hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia

Question 3

List secondary causes of dyslipidaemia

Answer 3

Medical conditions: hypothyroidism, Cholestatic liver disease, Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes mellitus, Nephrotic syndrome
Drugs: thiazide diuretics, glucocorticoids, B-blockers, cOCP, atypical antipsychotics,
Pregnancy.
Obesity.
Alcohol abuse
Physical inactivity

Question 4

Describe the pathophysiology of dyslipidaemia

Answer 4

Elevated LDL + reduced HDL promotes atherosclerosis, increases risk of cardiovascular events

Question 5

List 3 primary causes of dyslipidaemia

Answer 5

Familial dyslipidaemias.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia
Familial combined hyperlipidaemia.

Question 6

Describe presentation of dyslipidaemia

Answer 6

Asymptomatic

Identified at routine screening

Question 7

List 3 signs of hyperlipidaemia

Answer 7

Xanthelasma
Corneal arcus (in <50s)
Tendon xanthomata

Question 8

What diagnostic test is used for dyslipidaemia?

Answer 8

Fasting lipid profile : Total cholesterol, HDL, + triglycerides
LDL > 130 mg/dL. +/or HDL levels < 40 mg/dL.

Question 9

What 4 other bloods are taken in dyslipidaemia? Why?

Answer 9

Fasting blood glucose level or HbA1c: DM
TSH level: hypothyroidism
Liver function tests: liver disease
Urine analysis: nephrotic syndrome
To identify an underlying cause

Question 10

What is assessed on diagnosis of dyslipidaemia?

Answer 10

Assess for cardiovascular disease (MI, stroke)

Assess for major risk factors for CVD (smoking, HTN)

Question 11

Describe the management of dyslipidaemia

Answer 11

Conservative: reduce sat fat, lose weight, increase exercise
Pharmacological: statins

Question 12

List 3 complications of dyslipidaemia

Answer 12

MI
CHD
Very severe hypertriglyceridaemia= RF for pancreatitis.