title: Results of the Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS)-Middle East: clinical perspective on the prevalence and characteristics of lipid abnormalities in the setting of chronic statin treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Therapeutic intervention with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering agents known as statins has been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, many patients on statin treatment have persistent dyslipidemia and remain at a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the frequency of lipid abnormalities in patients receiving chronic statin treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of an international, cross-sectional, observational study, DYSIS-Middle East enrolled 2,182 patients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan. All patients were over 45 years of age and had been on statin treatment for at least three months. Data on demographics, lipid parameters and cardiovascular risk profile were recorded. Cardiovascular risk was defined according the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients (82.6%) were classified as being at very high risk of cardiovascular events, and 61.8% of all patients did not attain LDL-C target levels. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and elevated triglyceride levels were noted in 55.5% and 48.5% of patients, respectively. Multivariate logistical regression modeling indicated that factors independently associated with LDL-C levels not being at goal were lifestyle choices, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost two-thirds of statin-treated patients in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan had inadequately controlled lipid levels. More comprehensive surveillance, awareness and treatment regimens, as well as modification of lifestyle choices, is necessary to halt the rise in cardiovascular disease-related mortality.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Department, Al Hada Military Hospitals, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Saud N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Al Sifri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Almahmeed
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.affiliation: Istishari Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Okkeh
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pharmakologie und präventive Medizin, Mahlow, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bramlage
authors.affiliation: Institut für Herzinfarktforschung, Ludwigshafen, Germany ; University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jünger
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, MSD Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Islam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Halawa
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Baishali
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ambegaonkar
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, MSD United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Sameh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wajih
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brudi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids