Gender differences in the lipid profile of dyslipidemic subjects

Abstract Objective We evaluated the gender-associated differences in lipid profile of subjects intended to receive lipid-lowering therapy with emphasis on the associations between triglycerides (TG) and other plasma lipid variables. Design Lipid profiles of 1385 patients [aged 55 ± 11 years, 549 women (40%)] were evaluated. Eligible subjects fulfilled one or more of the following criteria: total cholesterol (TC) ≥ 6.2 mmol/l, TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/l, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) < 1.0 mmol/l. Patients were divided into subgroups according to TG and HDL-C levels. Results Women aged on average 3.5 years older, had higher TC and HDL-C, lower TG and a correspondingly lower TC/HDL-C ratio than men. High TG and low HDL-C in tandem appeared twice more frequently in men. Inverse correlations between HDL-C and TG levels were found to exist in the entire cohort ( r = − 0.354, p < 0.001) and in all various subgroups. In the subgroup with TG < 1.7 mmol/l, women had higher TC and HDL-C, lower TG levels and lower TC/HDL-C ratio compared with men. In the subgroup with TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/l, women had higher TC and HDL-C levels and lower TC/HDL ratio compared with men. In the subgroup with HDL-C ≥ 1.0 mmol/l women had higher HDL-C, lower TG levels and lower TC/HDL-C ratio compared with men. Conclusions Elevated TG levels and low HDL-C in tandem are common lipid abnormalities in the clinical setting of primary and secondary preventions. Gender-associated differences in the lipid profile are evident in subjects presenting with dyslipidemia and might be of potential relevance for diagnostics and therapy for the prevention of atherosclerosis.