Gender and Age Differences in Lipid Profile Among Chinese Adults in Nanjing: A Retrospective Study of Over 230,000 Individuals from 2009 to 2015

Background Previous national survey suggested that dyslipidemia is an increasing burden in China and more severe in urban population. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the gender and age differences in lipids and lipoproteins in a large Chinese urban population in Nanjing city. Methods A total of 236, 945 adults (age >= 20 years old) who undertook a health check between 2009 and 2015 in our medical examination center were involved in the analysis. Fasting total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) were measured by standard methods. Results The age-standardized estimates of serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride were 4.77 (4.76-4.79), 1.19 (1.18-1.19), 2.53 (2.52-2.54) and 1.74 (1.721.76) mmol/L in males (n =130954), and 4.79 (4.78-4.80), 1.46 (1.45-1.46), 2.44 (2.43-2.45) and 1.21 (1.19-1.22) mmol/L in females (n =105991), respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was significantly elevated in females above 50 years old, and the peak prevalence of dyslipidemia in males was in the age group of 40-59 years, earlier as compared to females (peaked at 60-69 years old). In addition, an increasing secular trend was observed in LDL cholesterol levels from 2009 to 2015 in both males and females. Conclusions Dyslipidemia is an increasing epidemic in China, characterized by a rising trend of LDL cholesterol. The gender and age differences in serum levels of lipid profile as well as prevalence of dyslipidemia suggested that the middle-age men and postmenopausal women should be the prioritized target for better control of dyslipidemia and early prevention of cardiovascular disease.