Background:

Severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG) is a metabolic disorder with multiple origins and management implications. Prevalence, clinical characteristics, and its possible causes are unknown in Argentina.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and describe the clinical characteristics and underlying SHTG causes in a third level hospital in the municipality of General Pueyrredón.

Methods:

An observational, descriptive study was performed using an electronic database from a provincial Hospital. It included adult patients with triglyceride (TG) levels above 885 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) evaluated from January 2018 to December 2021. Medical records were collected, and patients were then contacted to obtain anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic variables, personal and family history, secondary causes of hypertriglyceridemia, and treatment received.

Results:

Among 16 029 patients analyzed, 46 presented SHTG, representing a total prevalence of 0.28% (95% CI 0.20-0.40%). Finally, 19 participants with mean age 48.47±16 years and 84.2% men were included in the analysis. Median TG level was 1821 mg/dL (interquartile range 917-7000 mg/dL), and 17 participants (84.97%) had hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol >200 mg/dL). Almost 50% reported alcohol consumption, 55% were obese and 68% had type II diabetes. Nine participants were under pharmacological treatment, 4 with fibrates and 5 with statins.

Conclusion:

A prevalence of 0.28% SHTG was found, higher than that reported in other series. Another finding was the underuse of medication for this severe dyslipidemia.