Worldwide burden of LDL cholesterol: Implications in cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM: an increased value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is now universally considered a major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. LDL-C is included in the vast majority of worldwide cardiovascular risk prediction algorithms, as well as in the guidelines for cardiovascular risk prevention. We aimed to provide an overview of the worldwide adverse healthcare impact of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). METHODS AND RESULTS: Data on the epidemiologic burden of LDL-C >1.3 mmol/L were retrieved from Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) registry. The current burden is 94.92 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with an exponential increase occurred during the past 25 years. 4.32 million deaths can be attributed to LDL cholesterol values > 1.3 mmol/L. DALYs and deaths due to LDL-C have significantly increased in all countries except those with high socio-demographic index. CONCLUSION: More effective structural healthcare policies shall be planned at a worldwide scale for contrasting the epidemics of LDL-C attributable heath loss.