OBJECTIVETo study the difference in prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) between the residents of urban and rural areas of varied regions in China.

METHODSFasting plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-C were determined with the enzyme methods for 49,252 subjects aged 18 and over during August to December, 2002.

RESULTSPrevalence of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 and over was 18.6%, with 17.0%, 22.9% and 23.4% in the groups of 18-44, 45-59 and over 60 years old, respectively, 22.2% and 15.9% in males and females, respectively, and 21.0% and 17.7% in urban and rural areas, respectively. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low blood HDL-C in those aged 18 and over was 2.9%, 11.9% and 7.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDyslipidemia has become one of important risk factors threatening health of Chinese people, with hypertriglyceridemia and low blood HDL-C as two major types in those aged 18 and over. Prevalence of dyslipidemia was nearly the same in the middle-aged and in the elderly people, and not significantly different in those living in urban areas from those in rural areas. It is very important to pay more attention to earlier comprehensive prevention and control of dyslipidemia.