National trends in dyslipidemia prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in South Korea from 2005 to 2022

Dyslipidemia has steadily increased in South Korea over the past two decades, emerging as a major public health concern and key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Thus, our study aimed to investigate long-term trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia in South Korea, including the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized data from nationally representative cross-sectional surveys conducted as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2022, analyzing long-term trends of dyslipidemia among 98,396 individuals aged over 30. Weighted linear and binary logistic regression were performed to calculate the β coefficients, β_diff, and weighted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Weighted odds ratios were computed for various socioeconomic groups using aggregated data from 2005 to 2022. The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased from 41.30% (95% CI 40.40-42.21) in 2005-2009 to 48.41% (47.36-49.47) in 2020-2022. Awareness increased from 17.87% (16.75-18.99) to 48.90% (47.34-50.47), treatment from 7.10% (6.39-7.80) to 38.19% (36.61-39.76), and control among prevalence from 6.49% (5.79-7.19) to 31.82% (30.33-33.32). Treatment (β_diff, 3.94 [1.97-5.92]) and control among prevalence (β_diff, 3.52 [1.67-5.38]) increased more rapidly during the pandemic. Higher odds of dyslipidemia were associated with male sex, older population, rural residence, high BMI, central adiposity, low education and income levels, smoking, and high-risk alcohol consumption. Lower odds of awareness, treatment, and control among individuals with dyslipidemia were associated with male sex, younger population, rural residence, higher education and income levels, smoking, and high-risk alcohol consumption. Over the past 18 years, the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia have steadily increased, with persistent disparities among socioeconomic groups.