OBJECTIVES : Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of death in developed countries. Early detection and proper management of dyslipidemia is critical to prevent CVD events and their associated costs. Thus, we investigated factors associated with the awareness of dyslipidemia among Korean adults to identify target intervention areas.

METHODS : From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2016–2018, we identified adults (≥ 45) with dyslipidemia. According to the Korean Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia, dyslipidemia was defined if: total cholesterol: ≥240 mg/dL, LDL-C: ≥160 mg/dL, HDL-C: ≤40 mg/dL, or triglyceride: ≥200 mg/dL. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between awareness of dyslipidemia and patient’s characteristics such as predisposing, enabling, or need factors based on Andersen’s health behavioral model.

RESULTS : A total of 6,213 (32.8%) people were identified as having dyslipidemia. Regression analysis results showed that women were more aware of dyslipidemia than men (OR: 1.651; 95 % CI: 1.324-2.057). The odds of awareness of dyslipidemia were significantly greater among those who had routine medical check-ups (OR: 1.771); chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension (OR: 2.151 and 1.769, respectively); a family history of dyslipidemia (OR: 2.437); and obesity (OR: 5.972). Also, those with good self-rated health status were less aware of dyslipidemia than those with poor self-rated health status (OR: 0.542; 95% CI: 0.405-0.725).

CONCLUSIONS : Factors identified as being associated with awareness of dyslipidemia would be useful to develop effective strategies to promote awareness of dyslipidemia among adult population.