High Triglyceride Levels Associated with substantial risk of Chronic Conditions in Adults: NHANES Analysis

Severe hypertriglyceridemia, defined as triglyceride levels ≥500 mg/dL, is a known risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Triglyceride-lowering agents have shown promise in reducing serum triglyceride levels and may have additional benefits in managing chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes. However, little is known about the prevalence of these conditions among adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

The analysis utilized pooled data from NHANES cycles spanning from 1999-2000 to 2017-2020. Nearly 25,000 adults with valid triglyceride levels were included in the study. Chronic conditions, including central obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), MASLD, and history of ASCVD, were assessed. Multi-organ disease was defined as having ≥3 comorbidities.

The key findings of the study were:

• 192.1 million adults had normal triglyceride levels, 26.8 million had moderate hypertriglyceridemia, and 2.3 million had severe hypertriglyceridemia in the US.

• Among individuals with severe hypertriglyceridemia, 70.3% had central obesity, 67.0% had MASLD, 32.7% had diabetes, 21.6% had CKD, and 10.6% had ASCVD.

• The prevalence of multi-organ disease was 11.5%, 25.9%, and 29.3% among those with normal, moderate, and severe hypertriglyceridemia, respectively.

• After adjustment for covariates, individuals with moderate and severe hypertriglyceridemia had a significantly higher prevalence of multi-organ disease compared to those with normal triglyceride levels.

The findings highlight the substantial burden of chronic conditions among adults with hypertriglyceridemia, particularly severe cases. Clinical trials investigating novel triglyceride-lowering agents may benefit from targeting individuals with specific comorbidities aligned with the pathways being targeted.

The NHANES analysis underscores the association between high triglyceride levels and the prevalence of chronic conditions in US adults. Understanding these relationships can inform targeted interventions and improve management strategies for individuals with hypertriglyceridemia and related comorbidities.

Reference:

Gurevitz C, Chen L, Muntner P, Rosenson RS, Hypertriglyceridemia and Multi-Organ Disease Among US Adults, JACC: Advances (2024),