Dyslipidemia is an important, modifiable CHD risk factor. Previous studies have reported the prevalence of dyslipidemia particularly in urban populations. However, its prevalence in rural Northeast Thailand has not been well documented since extensive dietary and lifestyle transitions induced by the rapid socio-economic development of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The authors, therefore, conducted a cross-sectional assessment for the prevalence of dyslipidemia among rural Thais (in Khon Kaen province) using the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) Guidelines.
The 325 subjects recruited (136 men; 189 women) averaged 53.8 + 17.6 years of age (range, 20-88). After having the subjects fast 12 hours, serum samples were collected. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterols were measured. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dL), hypertriglyceridemia (> 150 mg/dL), high LDL-C (> 130 mg/dL) and low HDL-C (< 40 mg/dL) was 31, 40, 20 and 14 per cent, respectively. Women had a 2- to 3.5-fold higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and high LDL-C than men, while the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia was comparable. The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased with advancing age and increasing BMI; notwithstanding, a high prevalence of dyslipidemia was observed in the youngest tertile as well. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated a high prevalence of dyslipidemia in rural Thai adults; consequently, primary lipid screening should be considered for all ages.

Keywords: Dyslipidemia, Epidemiology, Prevalence, Thailand