Xanthelasma Palpebrarum is Not Associated with Dyslipidemia or Cardiovascular Disease: A Case Control Study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is associated with dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other systemic conditions in a large population. DESIGN: Case-control study conducted at a single tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who were examined at a medical screening institute from 2001 to 2020. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed to extract data on ophthalmic evaluations, blood tests, and systemic diagnoses. Patients identified with XP in at least one eye comprised the study group. A control group without XP was established matched by age and sex at a 101 ratio to allow robust statistical analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Associations between XP and dyslipidemia and CVD. Lipid profiles, diagnosis of dyslipidemia and CVD were compared between the case and control groups. RESULTS: The database included 35,452 individuals, 24,287 males (69%), mean age 52.2±12.2 years. The study population included 203 XP patients (0.6%) and 2030 matched controls. The prevalence of dyslipidemia diagnosis and the usage rates of statins, fibrates, or other cholesterol-lowering medications was similar between the two groups. Lipid profiles were similar between the groups, including median total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels (187 controls vs. 192 XP, 48 controls vs. 47 XP, 120 controls vs. 125 XP, 111 controls vs. 105 XP, respectively, P>0.05 for all). The rate of CVD was similar as well (10% controls vs. 8.9%, XP P=0.56). The prevalences of related conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of cerebrovascular accident, were similar between groups (24% controls vs. 23% XP, 14% controls vs. 10% XP, 1.3% controls vs. 1% XP, respectively P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: XP was not associated with increased rates of dyslipidemia or CVD. This questions the extent to which XP serves as an indicative marker for heightened systemic risk.