FREQUENCY OF DYSLIPIDEMIA IN OBESE ADULT PATIENTS PRESENTING AT SAIDU GROUP OF TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: Obesity has become a global epidemic and is strongly associated with a range of metabolic disturbances, particularly dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite its growing prevalence, data on the burden of dyslipidemia among obese adults in local healthcare settings of Pakistan remains scarce. Objective: To determine the frequency of dyslipidemia among obese adult patients presenting at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months at the Department of Medicine, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital. A total of 135 obese adults (BMI > 30 kg/m²), aged 18–60 years, were selected through consecutive non-probability sampling. Patients with comorbidities or on lipid-lowering medication were excluded. Lipid profiles were assessed based on standard dyslipidemia criteria. Data were collected through structured proformas and analyzed using IBM SPSS v.23. Frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests were applied, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 135 participants, the mean age was 42.6 years, and the mean BMI was 33.4 kg/m². Dyslipidemia was present in 77.8% of patients. Elevated triglycerides (81.5%), reduced HDL cholesterol (75.6%), total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL (70.4%), and high LDL levels (64.4%) were the most common abnormalities. Urban residents, unemployed individuals, and smokers exhibited a higher prevalence. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of obese adults exhibited dyslipidemia, highlighting the need for routine lipid screening and early intervention strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in this population.