Introduction:

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death globally, are linked to dyslipidemia, a lipid disorder with critical public health implications. This study sought to determine the frequency of dyslipidemia and its associated factors in hospitalized patients.

Material and methods:

A quantitative, observational, descriptive-cross-sectional study with a deductive approach was conducted from April 29 to May 3, 2024, at the Caja Petrolera de Salud (Petroleum Health Fund) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Fifty-seven adult Internal Medicine patients were selected by convenience, following inclusion criteria: age ≥18 years, hospitalization ≥24 hours, and availability of clinical records. Patients with cancer or terminal illnesses were excluded. Data were collected through medical record review and a structured questionnaire validated by experts (Cronbach's α = 0,78). The analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square test, relative risk (RR), and p-value.

Results:

Dyslipidemia was present in 35% of cases, with hypertriglyceridemia predominating (50%), followed by a mixed profile (hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia) (35%) and hypercholesterolemia (15%). Ninety-five percent were men (relative risk = 24, p < 0,05). Other associated factors included family history (relative risk = 3.6, p < 0,05), obesity (80% of cases), and medication use (65%).

Discussion:

Dyslipidemia is prevalent in older men and is linked to obesity and pharmacotherapy. Comprehensive preventive strategies are needed.