Key Points
Diagnosis and Definitions
����Severe and very severe hypertriglyceridemia increase the risk for
pancreatitis, whereas mild or moderate hypertriglyceridemia may be a
risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, similar to the National
Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP)
III guideline committee���s recommendations, the Endocrine Society
recommends screening adults for hypertriglyceridemia as part of a lipid
panel at least every 5 yr (1|������������).
����Base the diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia on fasting triglyceride levels and
not on nonfasting triglyceride levels (1|������������).
����AVOID the routine measurement of lipoprotein particle heterogeneity in
patients with hypertriglyceridemia (1|������������). Measurement of apolipoprotein
B (apoB) or lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels can be of value, whereas measurement
of other apolipoprotein levels has little clinical value (2|������������).
Causes of elevated triglycerides���primary and secondary
����Evaluate individuals found to have any elevation of fasting triglycerides for
secondary causes of hyperlipidemia including endocrine conditions and
medications. Focus treatment on such secondary causes (1|������������).
����Assess patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia for other cardiovascular
risk factors such as central obesity, hypertension, abnormalities of glucose
metabolism, and liver dysfunction (1|������������).
����Evaluate patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia for family history of
dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease to assess genetic causes and
future cardiovascular risk (1|������������).
