Prevalence of dyslipidemia among adults in Germany

Abstract

Interview and laboratory data from the first wave of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) from 2008–2011 were used to provide current estimates of the prevalence of dyslipidemia which are representative of the population in Germany 18–79 years of age. A total of 56.6% of men and 60.5% of women 18–79 years have elevated serum total cholesterol concentrations in excess of the currently recommended threshold of 190 mg/dL; 17.9% of men and 20.3% of women have highly elevated total cholesterol concentrations ≥240 mg/dL. A total of 19.3% of men and 3.6% of women have high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations below 40 mg/dL. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia (total cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL or medical diagnosis of dyslipidemia) is 64.5% for men and 65.7% for women. Of these, more than half of both men and women have previously undiagnosed dyslipidemia. Among persons with known dyslipidemia, 30.8% take lipid-lowering medication. Dyslipidemia is widely prevalent among adults in Germany. More in-depth analyses will examine time trends in the prevalence of dyslipidemia in Germany and in an international comparison.