Exercise and lipids.

Evidence from the existing literature suggests that exercise has positive effects for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases by reducing risk factors such as elevated blood lipids. Based on clinical and observational clinical trials, it is well established that increased physical activity and regular exercise has a favourable impact on blood lipids and lipoprotein profiles. Exercise training significantly decreases blood triglycerides concentration and increases high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Though the Indian data depicting the effect of exercise on lipids is scarce, exercise directly improves "atherogenic dyslipidaemia" which is frequently present among Indians i.e. HDL-C is increased, TG is reduced and LDL-C particle size is improved. While drug therapy is key to the treatment of dyslipidaemia, lifestyle alterations such as exercise should continue to be actively promoted and encouraged by clinicians. Exercise is a low cost, non pharmacological therapeutic lifestyle change that is of value to lipid metabolism and cardiovascular fitness.

Transitional Medicine of Intractable Primary Dyslipidemias in Japan.

Transitional medicine refers to the seamless continuity of medical care for patients with childhood-onset diseases as they grow into adulthood. The transition of care must be seamless in medical treatment as the patients grow and in other medical aids such as subsidies for medical expenses in the health care system. Inappropriate transitional care, either medical or social, directly causes poorer prognosis for many early-onset diseases, including primary dyslipidemia caused by genetic abnormalities. Many primary dyslipidemias are designated as intractable diseases in the Japanese health care system for specific medical aids, as having no curative treatment and requiring enormous treatment costs for lipid management and prevention of complications. However, there are problems in transitional medicine for primary dyslipidemia in Japan. As for the medical treatment system, the diagnosis rate remains low due to the shortage of specialists, their insufficient link with generalists and other field specialists, and poor linkage between pediatricians and physicians for adults. In the medical care system, there is a mismatch of diagnostic criteria of primary dyslipidemias between children and adults for medical care expense subsidization, as between The Program for the Specific Pediatric Chronic Diseases and the Program for Designated Adult Intractable Diseases. This could lead some patients subsidized in their childhood to no longer be under the coverage of the aids after transition. This review intends to describe these issues in transitional medicine of primary dyslipidemia in Japan as a part of the efforts to resolve the problems by the Committee on Primary Dyslipidemia under the Research Program on Rare and Intractable Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

Comment on "Inclisiran siRNA technology in the management of dyslipidemia: A narrative review of clinical trials".

The study "Inclisiran siRNA technology in the management of dyslipidemia: A narrative review of clinical trials" evaluates inclisiran's efficacy and safety in reducing LDL cholesterol levels across diverse patient populations. Twelve clinical trials were reviewed, demonstrating consistent LDL-C reduction, even in statin intolerance or resistance cases, with sustained efficacy observed over various durations, some extending up to four years. Inclisiran exhibited a favorable safety profile, suggesting its potential as a well-tolerated treatment option. Despite promising findings, the limitations include the short duration of some trials and the exclusion of non-English language studies, warranting further research. Future studies should focus on the long-term safety and efficacy in diverse patient populations and explore the broader clinical implications of inclisiran. Although inclisiran shows promise in dyslipidemia management, comprehensive research is needed to understand its full potential in cardiovascular medicine.

Managing dyslipidaemia in young adults.

Indians have early onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and acquire the risk factors at a younger age, and hence we need to aggressively address the management of dyslipidemia in the young. Cholesterol levels early in life will influence the development of atherosclerosis. Young atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients (18-40 yrs) should receive lipid-lowering drugs to reduce LDL-C<55 mg. Due to the asymptomatic nature of dyslipidemia, early screening will enable the implementation of management strategies which will decrease future cardiovascular events. In this review, we will provide insights into identifying and managing dyslipidemia in the 18-40 years age group (young adults). It is suggested that early detection and more aggressive management of dyslipidemia in young adults with or without risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, tobacco and central obesity, might reduce the risk of CV events occurring later in life. Although lifestyle modification is the mainstay of treatment (dietary recommendations, exercise, tobacco cessation, weight reduction, etc.) but in certain young adults we suggest use of statins in low dose or non-statin drugs if they have associated risk factors, LDL-C >160 mg or a high coronary calcium score. Young adults who are carriers of FH gene should receive aggressive lifestyle modification and appropriate antilipidemic therapy.

APOC3 siRNA and ASO therapy for dyslipidemia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to present the clinical indications of apolipoprotein C-III (apoC3) inhibition in the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of lipid disorders and associated risks and to compare the most advanced modalities of apoC3 inhibition currently available or in development, specifically APOC3 antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and small interfering RNA (siRNA). RECENT FINDINGS: ApoC3 inhibition significantly decreases triglyceride levels by mechanisms coupling both lipoprotein lipase (LPL) upregulation and LPL-independent mechanisms. The main apoC3 inhibitors in advanced clinical development are the GalNAc-ASO olezarsen and the GalNAc-siRNA plozasiran. Clinical studies conducted with volanesorsen, the olezarsen precursor, showed a favorable effect on hepatic steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD). Olezarsen does not appear to be associated with the main side effects attributed to volanesorsen including thrombocytopenia. Plozasiran is in advanced clinical development and requires subcutaneous injection every 3 months and present to-date an efficacy and safety profile comparable to that of the monthly ASO. SUMMARY: Inhibition of apoC3 is effective across all the spectrum of hypertriglyceridemia, might have a favorable effect on hepatic steatosis (NAFLD) and the effect of apoC3 inhibition on cardiovascular risk is not limited to its effect on plasma triglycerides. APOC3 GalNAc-conjugated ASO and siRNA are both effective in decreasing plasma apoC3 and triglyceride levels.

Inclisiran siRNA technology in the management of dyslipidemia: A narrative review of clinical trials.

RNA interference therapies, particularly small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) like Inclisiran, have shown great potential in managing dyslipidemia, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Inclisiran targets pro-protein convertasesubtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) mRNA to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. This review evaluates Inclisiran's efficacy, safety, and clinical applications in managing dyslipidemia. A review of clinical trials evaluating Inclisiran's efficacy and safety in dyslipidemia management was conducted. PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and Scopus were searched for relevant trials. Inclusion criteria covered clinical trials in English, published within the last six years, involving human subjects. 12 clinical trials were included in this review, demonstrating Inclisiran's consistent efficacy in reducing LDL-C levels across diverse patient populations, even in statin intolerance or resistance cases. The efficacy was observed over various durations, with some trials extending up to 4 years. Inclisiran demonstrated a favourable safety profile, with mild adverse events reported in most trials, suggesting its potential as a well-tolerated treatment option. Inclisiran's consistent efficacy and safety profile make it a promising option for managing dyslipidemia. Future studies should confirm its long-term effects and explore its clinical implications in diverse patient populations and high-risk scenarios.

Effectiveness of peer-led intervention in control of non-communicable diseases in rural areas of Khordha district: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The main contributors to death and disability from chronic illnesses in developing nations are elevated blood pressure (hypertension), blood sugar (diabetes mellitus), and blood cholesterol (dyslipidaemia). Even though there are affordable treatments, the treatment gap for these conditions is still significant. Few pilot studies from industrialized nations discuss the value of peer-led interventions for achieving community-level management of blood pressure and blood sugar. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-led intervention compared to standard care in achieving control of selected non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Indian context at 1 year of intervention among people of 30-60 years with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidaemia. METHODS: A cluster-randomized controlled trial will be conducted in villages of two rural blocks of the Khordha district of Odisha from August 2023 to December 2024. A total of 720 eligible participants (360 in the intervention group and 360 in the control group) will be recruited and randomized into two study arms. The participants in the intervention arm will receive a peer-led intervention model for 6 months in addition to standard care. The sessions will be based on the six domains of NCDs - self-care, follow-up care, medication, physical activity, diet, limiting substance use, mental health and co-morbidities. The mean reduction in blood pressure, HbA1C, and blood cholesterol in the intervention arm compared to the standard care arm will be the main outcome. DISCUSSION: The increasing burden of NCDs demands for newer strategies for management. Peer-led interventions have proven to be useful at the international level. Incorporating it in India will have remarkable results in controlling NCDs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) CTRI/2023/02/050022. Registered on 23 February 2023.

Dyslipidemia in diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that often predisposes to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CVD is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes. The typical diabetic dyslipidaemia is characterized by low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides with mildly increased or even normal LDL. This attenuated rise in LDL is due to the more atherogenic small dense LDL particles. Genetic factors, obesity, lack of physical activity, alcohol abuse, poorly controlled glucose levels are some of the common risk factors for dyslipidaemia. Non-pharmacological management of dyslipidaemia is important and includes modification in the diet, increase in physical activity and efforts to reduce weight. Statins remain the mainstay of pharmacotherapy for dyslipidaemia in diabetes. Due to the small dense LDL, even patients with diabetes who have normal LDL cholesterol, achieve reduction in cardiovascular risk with statin therapy. Those patients who do not achieve acceptable LDL reductions with statin alone can be treated with combination therapy of ezetimibe with statins. Many novel therapies have also emerged such as bempedoic acid and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. The targets for LDL cholesterol depend upon the patients underlying cardiovascular risk category. The use of pharmacotherapy for lowering triglycerides in patients with mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes is still a matter of debate. Proper management of dyslipidaemia is critical component of treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes: Lipid goal attainment in a large German-Austrian diabetes registry.

AIM: To assess the implementation of the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guideline recommendations for lipid-lowering therapies among more than 30 000 patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a German and Austrian registry from 2020 to 2022. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Registry data from 2020 and 2021 of 32 170 adult patients (8314 patients with T1D and 23 856 with T2D) were stratified according to the 2019 ESC/EAS risk categories, and guideline-based low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) goal attainment was analysed. RESULTS: In patients with T1D (median age 38.35 [20.51-57.13] years), overall statin use was 19.3%, ezetimibe use was 2.2% and the use of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors or fibrates was less than 1%. In patients with T2D (median age 68.76 [58.86-78.39] years), 45.7% received statins, 3.4% received ezetimibe, and fibrates and PCSK9 inhibitors were used by 1% and 0.1%, respectively. Among patients with T1D, 6.16% reached their risk-based recommended LDL-C goal of less than 55 mg/dL (very high risk), 10.97% of less than 70 mg/dL (high risk), and 69.50% of less than 100 mg/dL (moderate risk), respectively. In patients with T2D, 11.81% reached their risk-based goal of LDL-C less than 55 mg/dL, 16.25% of less than 70 mg/dL, and 51.33% of less than 100 mg/dL. Non-HDL-C goals were reached more often, with 15.3%, 25.52% and 91.61% in patients with T1D and 18.56%, 17.96% and 82.30% in patients with T2D for very high, high and moderate risk, respectively. CONCLUSION: Approximately 2 years after publication of the guidelines, LDL-C and non-HDL-C goal attainment was rarely achieved in patients with T1D and T2D with a high or very high cardiovascular risk.

Effect of the Nutritional Intervention Program on Body Weight and Selected Cardiometabolic Factors in Children and Adolescents with Excess Body Weight and Dyslipidemia: Study Protocol and Baseline Data.

Excess body weight and associated dyslipidemia in children and adolescents are the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in young adults. There is a reasonable need to develop an effective lifestyle modification program that includes various dietary therapies. A low-glycemic index (GI) diet may be recommended in the treatment of obesity. Its use is also recognized as reasonable in cardiovascular diseases, including dyslipidemia. The aim of the presented nutritional intervention program was to evaluate the effectiveness of an energy-balanced diet based on the principal recommendation on Cardiovascular Health Integrated Lifestyle Diet-2 (CHILD-2) and low-GI products (LGI diet) in children and adolescents with excess body weight and dyslipidemia. The study involved 64 children and adolescents (44 boys and 20 girls) aged 8-16 with overweight or obesity and dyslipidemia. For 8 weeks, the participants followed a dietary treatment using two types of diets: one based on products with a low GI, and one standard therapy diet. During this time, they participated in three visits with a dietitian, during which the assessment of their current and habitual food intake was made, and anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were taken. Patients were under the care of a pediatrician who qualified them for the study and ordered lipid profile tests. This article presents the design, protocol of the nutritional intervention program, and baseline data. The collected results will be used to develop practical nutritional recommendations for children and adolescents with excess body weight and dyslipidemia.

Sport as Medicine for Dyslipidemia (and Other Risk Factors).

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Dyslipidemia is a common condition characterized by abnormal lipid levels in the blood, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity and participation in sports have been shown to have a positive impact on lipid profiles and reduce the risk of dyslipidemia. Additionally, regular physical activity can lead to weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, both of which are associated with improved lipid profiles. This review aims to provide an overview on the utility of physical activity in the management of dyslipidemia. RECENT FINDINGS: Improvements in lipid profiles were observed across both short- and long-term durations of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity interval training (MIIT). However, it seems that more significant improvements in lipid profiles can be achieved with longer periods of physical activity and more intense exercise regimens. Several studies have investigated the relationship between aerobic exercise and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and the results suggest that HDL-C levels are more responsive to aerobic exercise compared to LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). Although findings on the effect of aerobic exercise on LDL-C levels have been inconsistent, there may still be beneficial changes in LDL-C subfractions that could provide cardiovascular protection. One such subfraction is plasma Lp(a), which contains Apo(a). However, unlike other LDL subfractions, Lp(a) is determined by genetics and is not influenced by physical activity. Therefore, it cannot be improved through exercise. Exercise is commonly believed to lead to a decrease in plasma TG concentrations. However, it is important to note that the baseline TG level may play a crucial role in determining the effect of exercise on the TG response. Factors such as individual variability and metabolic differences can influence the response of TG levels to exercise. Overall, exercise plays a crucial role in improving lipid profiles and promoting cardiovascular health. In conclusion, sport can be considered a form of medicine for dyslipidemia. Regular physical activity and participation in sports can improve lipid profiles, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and improve overall health. It is essential to incorporate exercise and a healthy lifestyle into one's daily routine to prevent and manage dyslipidemia effectively.

Screening for Lipid Disorders in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.

Importance: Familial hypercholesterolemia and multifactorial dyslipidemia are 2 conditions that cause abnormally high lipid levels in children, which can lead to premature cardiovascular events (eg, myocardial infarction and stroke) and death in adulthood. Objective: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for lipid disorders in asymptomatic children and adolescents. Population: Asymptomatic children and adolescents 20 years or younger without a known diagnosis of a lipid disorder. Evidence Assessment: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient and the balance of benefits and harms for screening for lipid disorders in asymptomatic children and adolescents 20 years or younger cannot be determined. Recommendation: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents 20 years or younger. (I statement).

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of dyslipidaemia among adults in Malaysia.

Dyslipidaemia is an established cardiovascular risk factor. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of dyslipidaemia in Malaysian adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis of all cross-sectional, longitudinal observational studies which reported the prevalence of elevated total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in adults 18 years old and older, was conducted. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (which included Medline, EMBASE and major trial registers) from inception to October 18, 2022, was performed. Risk-of-bias was evaluated using the Johanna-Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool, while certainty of evidence was assessed using an adapted version of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using MetaXL. This report follows the PRISMA reporting guidelines. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020200281). 26 556 studies were retrieved and 7 941 were shortlisted initially. From this, 70 Malaysian studies plus two studies from citation searching were shortlisted; 46 were excluded, and 26 were included in the review (n = 50 001). The pooled prevalence of elevated TC (≥ 5.2 mmol/L), elevated LDL-c (≥ 2.6 mmol/L), elevated TG (≥ 1.7 mmol/L), and low HDL-c (< 1.0 mmol/L in men and < 1.3 mmol/L in women) were 52% (95% CI 32-71%, I2 = 100%), 73% (95% CI 50-92%, I2 = 100%), 36% (95% CI 32-40%, I2 = 96%), and 40% (95% CI 25-55%, I2 = 99%), respectively. This review found that the prevalence of all dyslipidaemia subtypes is high in Malaysian adults. Ongoing efforts to reduce cardiovascular diseases in Malaysia should integrate effective detection and treatment of dyslipidaemia.

Effectiveness of Internet-based health management in patients with dyslipidemia: A four-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke, and it has emerged as a major public health issue worldwide. Internet-based health management and intervention may offer a new approach to health management. This study was conducted to provide health guidance and education to people with dyslipidemia using an Internet health management platform and to assess the effectiveness of Internet health management and intervention in improving health-related behaviors and controlling blood lipids. METHODS: Starting in 2013 (Baseline, N = 56,542), a Western longitudinal study in China was performed, and all interventional objects were provided with Internet health management. Health checkups were conducted annually, and questionnaires were administered every two years to analyze changes in health behaviors two years (2015) and four years (2017) following the intervention. In addition, factors affecting behavioral changes and lipid control were analyzed in the dyslipidemic population to understand the effectiveness and influencing factors of Internet health management on lipid control. RESULTS: By guiding interventional objects through the Internet health management platform, the awareness rate of dyslipidemia increased from 19.1% in 2013 to 34.4% in 2017; and the control rate of dyslipidemia increased from 9.1% at baseline to 18.5%. Certain health-related behaviors that are beneficial to health (tobacco use, physical activity, and partial dietary) were gradually improved over the intervention time. For patients with dyslipidemia, triglyceride decreased from 2.90 mmol/L (2013) to 2.77 mmol/L (2017) as the years went by. Analysis of factors affecting lipid control showed that non-compliance with health instructions affected lipid control; in addition to these, being female (0.722, 95% CI: 0.546,0.954) was found to be a protective factor for effective lipid control. CONCLUSIONS: The basic Internet-based health management platform in this study appears to be moderately successful and is a valuable and feasible application. Tobacco, dietary, and physical activity interventions provided significant protection against dyslipidemia in patients.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Consensus Statement: Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm - 2023 Update.

OBJECTIVE: This consensus statement provides (1) visual guidance in concise graphic algorithms to assist with clinical decision-making of health care professionals in the management of persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve patient care and (2) a summary of details to support the visual guidance found in each algorithm. METHODS: The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) selected a task force of medical experts who updated the 2020 AACE Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm based on the 2022 AACE Clinical Practice Guideline: Developing a Diabetes Mellitus Comprehensive Care Plan and consensus of task force authors. RESULTS: This algorithm for management of persons with type 2 diabetes includes 11 distinct sections: (1) Principles for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes; (2) Complications-Centric Model for the Care of Persons with Overweight/Obesity; (3) Prediabetes Algorithm; (4) Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Algorithm: Dyslipidemia; (5) Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Algorithm: Hypertension; (6) Complications-Centric Algorithm for Glycemic Control; (7) Glucose-Centric Algorithm for Glycemic Control; (8) Algorithm for Adding/Intensifying Insulin; (9) Profiles of Antihyperglycemic Medications; (10) Profiles of Weight-Loss Medications (new); and (11) Vaccine Recommendations for Persons with Diabetes Mellitus (new), which summarizes recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Aligning with the 2022 AACE diabetes guideline update, this 2023 diabetes algorithm update emphasizes lifestyle modification and treatment of overweight/obesity as key pillars in the management of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus and highlights the importance of appropriate management of atherosclerotic risk factors of dyslipidemia and hypertension. One notable new theme is an emphasis on a complication-centric approach, beyond glucose levels, to frame decisions regarding first-line pharmacologic choices for the treatment of persons with diabetes. The algorithm also includes access/cost of medications as factors related to health equity to consider in clinical decision-making.

Medical Nutrition Therapy Provided by Dietitians is Effective and Saves Healthcare Costs in the Management of Adults with Dyslipidemia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Referral to nutrition care providers in the USA such as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) remains low. We summarize research on the effectiveness of MNT provided by dietitians versus usual care in the management of adults with dyslipidemia. Improvements in lipids/lipoproteins were examined. If reported, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG) glycated hemoglobin (A1c), body mass index (BMI), and cost outcomes were also examined. RECENT FINDINGS: The synthesis of three systematic reviews included thirty randomized controlled trials. Multiple MNT visits (3-6) provided by dietitians, compared with usual care, resulted in significant improvements in total cholesterol (mean range: - 4.64 to - 20.84 mg/dl), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mean range: - 1.55 to - 11.56 mg/dl), triglycerides (mean range: - 15.9 to - 32.55 mg/dl), SBP (mean range: - 4.7 to - 8.76 mm Hg), BMI (mean: - 0.4 kg/m2), and A1c (- 0.38%). Cost savings from MNT were attributed to a decrease in medication costs and improved quality of life years (QALY). Multiple MNT visits provided by dietitians compared with usual care improved lipids/lipoproteins, BP, A1c, weight status, and QALY with significant cost savings in adults with dyslipidemia and justify a universal nutrition policy for equitable access to MNT.

Combined Dyslipidemia in Children and Adolescents: a Proposed New Management Approach.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Combined dyslipidemia (CD), the predominant abnormal lipid pattern in children and adolescents, is characterized by moderate/severe triglyceride elevation with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CD is prevalent, present in 30-50% of obese adolescents. Epidemiologic and lipid sub-population findings demonstrate CD to be highly atherogenic. In the short term, CD responds well to lifestyle change; long-term results are lacking. RECENT FINDINGS: Major longitudinal studies now confirm that CD in childhood predicts early cardiovascular disease events in adults. Targeted nutritional interventions can be safely and effectively introduced in young children. These findings support introduction of a new approach to CD management. New evidence supporting the atherosclerotic risk associated with CD and the effectiveness of lifelong diet interventions is reviewed and a new family-based primordial approach to CD beginning in infancy is proposed. Aligned with existing pediatric care recommendations, this has the potential to significantly decrease the development of CD.

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular risk factor management in selected Asian countries.

Aim: There is a need to understand the management status of hypertension, dyslipidemia/hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to summarize the awareness, treatment, and/or control rates of these risk factors in adults across 11 APAC countries/regions. Results: We included 138 studies. Individuals with dyslipidemia had the lowest pooled rates compared with those with other risk factors. Levels of awareness with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were comparable. Individuals with hypercholesterolemia had a statistically lower pooled treatment rate but a higher pooled control rate than those with hypertension. Conclusion: The management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus was suboptimal in these 11 countries/regions.

The advantages and pitfalls of genetic analysis in the diagnosis and management of lipid disorders.

The increasing affordability of and access to next-generation DNA sequencing has increased the feasibility of incorporating genetic analysis into the diagnostic pathway for dyslipidaemia. But should genetic diagnosis be used routinely? DNA testing for any medical condition has potential benefits and pitfalls. For dyslipidaemias, the overall balance of advantages versus drawbacks differs according to the main lipid disturbance. For instance, some patients with severely elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels have a monogenic disorder, namely heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. In these patients, DNA diagnosis can be definitive, in turn yielding several benefits for patient care that tend to outweigh any potential disadvantages. In contrast, hypertriglyceridaemia is almost always a polygenic condition without a discrete monogenic basis, except for ultrarare monogenic familial chylomicronaemia syndrome. Genetic testing in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia is therefore predominantly non-definitive and evidence for benefit is presently lacking. Here we consider advantages and limitations of genetic testing in dyslipidaemias.