A Proposed Algorithm of Screening and Management of Lipids in Adults for Iranian Family Physicians

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to atherosclerosis is the foremost cause of premature mortality and of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in developed and developing countries (1). The associated mortality is preventable through treatment of dyslipidemia (2). Over half of the first CHD events and 3/4 of CHD deaths are preventable by controlling the risk factors, including diet, exercise, weight and blood pressure control; prescription of aspirin and tobacco cessation ; and lowering lipids (3). Dyslipidemia covers the broad spectrum of lipid abnormalities (4). However, elevations of the total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have received the most attention (4). Epidemiologic data revealed that about 70 mil­lion Americans had elevated levels of LDL cholesterol between 2005 and 2008 (5). Abnormalities in lipid components are prevalent in Iran and they are more common among men in urban areas. Urbanization, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle are the underlying reasons for the high prevalence of dyslipidemia in Iran (4). Dyslipidemias may be related to other diseases (secondary dyslipidemias); therefore, secondary causes of abnormal lipid levels should be considered first and treated when appropriate (6). The primary target in treating dyslipidemia has been and will probably continue to be LDL cholesterol because it is the most atherogenic lipoprotein which correlates more closely than other lipids with CHD (7). Statin therapy is likely to continue to be emphasized because they are the most effective lipid-lowering agents for reducing LDL cholesterol concentrations, and their efficacy for lowering the risk for cardiovascular events has been proven (8). Every 1.0 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) reduction in LDL-C is associated with a corresponding 22% reduction in CVD mortality and morbidity (9). Patients with an elevated LDL-cholesterol level should begin the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes program as well as an individualized program of regular exercise. Lifestyle modifications include diet, aerobic exercise, weight control, smoking cessation, evaluation of alcohol consumption; and a nutritional supplement containing sitostanol ester, a saturated derivative of plants’ seed oil (6). Diet and exercise are the cornerstones of treatment for asymptomatic patients with dyslipidemia (6). Smoking cessation reduces coronary event rate by about 50% within one to two years of stopping. Among the benefits of smoking cessation is a 5-10% increase in HD