Age- and Gender-Specific Dyslipidemia in Omani Young Adults: Metabolic Links to Cardiovascular Risk

International Journal of Biomedicine 15(4) (2025) 668-673 http://dx.doi.org/10.21103/Article15(4)_OA3 ORIGINAL ARTICLE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICINE Dyslipidemia Age- and Gender-Specific Dyslipidemia in Omani Young Adults: Metabolic Links to Cardiovascular Risk Gulam Saidunnisa Begum1, Anshoo Agarwal2, Nida Suhail3*, Mariah N. Hafiz3, Mohammed M. Jawad3, Awadh Elkareem Abass3, Shefa A. Hejazy4 Department of Biochemistry, National University of Science and Technology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sohar Campus, Oman 2 Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia 3 Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia 4 Diagnostic Hematology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia 1 Abstract Background: Dyslipidemia is a key modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease that often remains undiagnosed in young adults due to its asymptomatic nature. Early detection and management are crucial to preventing long-term complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidemia among young adults and examine its association with age and gender. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 1,436 individuals (742 females and 694 males). Lipid profiles were assessed using established clinical thresholds, and gender differences were analyzed with the chi-square test. Results: Dyslipidemia was present in 69.8% of participants, with the most common abnormalities being high total cholesterol (41.2%), low HDL-C (36.4%), and high LDL-C (34.5%). Low HDL-C was more frequent in females, while males exhibited higher triglycerides and mixed dyslipidemia. Prevalence increased with age, from 53.8% in those aged 20–24 years to 76.6% in the group 36–40 years. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent among young adults, with gender-specific and age-related variations. These findings emphasize the importance of early screening, lifestyle modification, and public health interventions to mitigate future cardiovascular disease risk.(International Journal of Biomedicine. 2025;15(4):668-673.) Keywords: cardiovascular risk • dyslipidemia • young adults For citation: Begum GS, Agarwal A, Suhail N, Hafiz MN, Jawad MM, Abass AE, Hejazy SA. Age- and Gender-Specific Dyslipidemia in Omani Young Adults: Metabolic Links to Cardiovascular Risk. International Journal of Biomedicine. 2025;15(4):668-673. doi:10.21103/Article15(4)_OA3 Abbreviations ACS, acute coronary syndrome; CAD, coronary artery disease; CVDs, cardiovascular diseases; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; NCDs, non-communicable diseases; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus. Introduction Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality and disability among non- communicable diseases (NCDs), accounting for approximately 12 million deaths annually and 40–45% of all global deaths. 1–3 Despite global preventive efforts, CVDs continue to be the major cause of death in many countries. Atherosclerosis, G. S. Begum et al. / International Journal of Biomedicine 15(4) (2025) 668-673 thrombosis, coronary heart disease, and ischemic stroke are major complications associated with dyslipidemia, which plays a critical role in the CVD pathogenesis.4 According to a study by Saeed et al.,5 each unit increase in total blood cholesterol triples the risk of CVDs in both men and women. Dyslipidemia, defined by elevated total cholesterol (TC), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), is a significant, independent, and modifiable risk factor for CVD, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).6–9 Even minor lipid abnormalities markedly increase coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, particularly when combined with other factors like T2DM.10 In Oman, the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) reported an age-adjusted metabolic syndrome prevalence of 21.0%, higher among women (23.0%) than men (19.5%). Low HDL-C (75.4%) and abdominal obesity (24.6%) were the most common components, the latter being significantly more frequent in women.11 Lipids are vital for energy storage, hormone synthesis, vitamin absorption, and cell membrane formation. However, their accumulation in the arteries can cause vascular obstruction and organ dysfunction.12 Among young adults, premature CAD is closely linked to dyslipidemia, hypertension, and smoking.13 A study at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, found a high prevalence of dyslipidemia among young Omanis.14 Similarly, studies in younger Middle Eastern patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) reveal higher rates of modifiable risk factors, notably smoking and hypercholesterolemia, than in older groups.15 Given its asymptomatic nature and early contribution to atherosclerosis, early detection and management of dyslipidemia are critical to reducing future cardiovascular burden. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidemia among young adults and examine its association with age and gender. Material and Methods A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of individuals who were treated at Sohar Hospital, Oman, between January 2024 and December 2024. Sample Size The minimum required sample size was calculated using Cochran’s formula for estimating a proportion in a population, assuming a 95% confidence level (Z=1.96), a 5% margin of error (e=0.05), and a conservative estimated prevalence (P=0.5) to yield the maximum sample size. The initial calculated sample size was 385. However, the present study included 1436 individuals, which significantly exceeds the minimum requirement. This larger sample enhances precision, providing strong generalizability and statistical power to detect significant associations. Study Design One thousand four hundred thirty-six subjects were categorized into four age groups: 20-24 years, 25-30 years, 669 31-35 years, and 36-40 years. This age-based categorization enabled the identification of age-specific trends in dyslipidemia prevalence and associated factors among young adults. The control group was also included and comprised of individuals without dyslipidemia, selected from the same hospital records using matching criteria such as age and sex. A STEPwise approach was employed to ensure systematic data extraction, facilitate trend identification, and support the development of targeted public health strategies to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) effectively.16 Step 1: Questionnaire-Based Assessment (Information from Case Files): Demographic information, including age (...truncated)