title: Dyslipidaemia in rural Australia: prevalence, awareness, and adherence to treatment guidelines in the Greater Green Triangle Risk Factor Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine population lipid profiles, awareness of hyperlipidaemia and adherence to Australian lipid management guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population survey in rural south-eastern Australia, 2004-2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stratified random sample from the electoral roll. Data from 1274 participants (40%) aged 25-74 years were analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population mean total, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC, LDL-C and HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations, prevalence of dyslipidaemia, and treatment according to 2001 and 2005 Australian guideline target levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Population-adjusted mean TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations were 5.38 mmol/L (95% CI, 5.30-5.45), 1.50 mmol/L (95% CI, 1.43-1.56), 3.23 mmol/L (95% CI, 3.16-3.30) and 1.46 mmol/L (95% CI, 1.44-1.49), respectively. Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (TC > 5.5 mmol/L or on treatment) was 48%. Lipid-lowering medication use was reported by 12%. Seventy-seven of 183 participants with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes were untreated, and of the 106 treated, 59% reached the target LDL-C. Of those without CVD or diabetes already treated, 38% reached target LDL-C, and 397 participants at high absolute risk did not receive primary prevention. Ninety-five per cent of treated individuals with CVD or diabetes and 86% of others treated had cholesterol measured in the previous year. Sixty-nine per cent of individuals at low risk aged over 45 years had their cholesterol measured within the previous 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive national strategy for lowering mean population cholesterol is required, as is better implementation of absolute risk management guidelines - particularly in rural populations.
authors.affiliation: Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, Flinders University and Deakin University, Warrnambool, VIC.
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Janus
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tideman
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.forename: Annamari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kilkkinen
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bunker
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Philpot
authors.forename: Rosy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tirimacco
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mc Namara
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heistaro
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laatikainen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol