Objective: To describe the characteristics of mixed hyperlipidemia cases, using data derived from the Encuesta Nacional de Enfermedades Crónicas (Mexican National Survey of Chronic Diseases, ENEC).
Material and methods: The ENEC was conducted in 1993, in 417 Mexican cities. Blood measurements of lipids, glucose, and insulin were obtained from 2206 cases. Differences between dyslipidemia patients and non cases were obtained using analysis of variance or the chi-squared test.
Results: Mixed hyperlipidemia was diagnosed in 282 subjects (12.8%). Cases were 42.7+/-12.6 years old. Fifty six percent were males and 46.4% had HDL cholesterol levels < 0.9 mmol/l. Other cardiovascular risk factors were also present. The prevalence of mixed hyperlipidemia was high even among young adults. A logistic regression model showed that obesity, age, male gender, residence in some regions of Mexico, diabetes, arterial hypertension, and fasting insulin levels >21 mU/ml, were factors associated with mixed hyperlipidemia.
Conclusions: Mixed hyperlipidemia is a very common condition in Mexican adults. It is more common in males older than 30 years, with additional cardiovascular risk factors. Study findings suggest that the metabolic syndrome plays a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.