Hyperlipidemias may basically be classified as either familial (also called primary) when caused by specific genetic abnormalities or acquired (also called secondary) Hyperlipidemias are also classified according to which types of lipids are elevated, that is
hypercholesterolemia,
hypertriglyceridemia or both in
combined hyperlipidemia. Elevated levels of
Lipoprotein(a) may also be classified as a form of hyperlipidemia.
Familial (primary) Familial hyperlipidemias are classified according to the
Fredrickson classification, which is based on the pattern of lipoproteins on
electrophoresis or
ultracentrifugation. It was later adopted by the
World Health Organization (WHO). It does not directly account for
HDL, and it does not distinguish among the different
genes that may be partially responsible for some of these conditions.
Type I Type I hyperlipoproteinemia exists in several forms: •
Lipoprotein lipase deficiency (type Ia), due to a deficiency of
lipoprotein lipase (LPL) or altered
apolipoprotein C2, resulting in elevated
chylomicrons, the particles that transfer fatty acids from the
digestive tract to the
liver • Familial apoprotein CII deficiency (type Ib), a condition caused by a lack of lipoprotein lipase activator. • Chylomicronemia due to circulating inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase (type Ic) Type I hyperlipoproteinemia usually presents in childhood with eruptive xanthomata and abdominal colic. Complications include retinal vein occlusion, acute pancreatitis, steatosis, and organomegaly, and lipemia retinalis.
Type II Hyperlipoproteinemia type II is further classified into types IIa and IIb, depending mainly on whether elevation in the triglyceride level occurs in addition to LDL cholesterol.
Type IIa This may be sporadic (due to dietary factors), polygenic, or truly familial as a result of a mutation either in the
LDL receptor gene on
chromosome 19 (0.2% of the population) or the
ApoB gene (0.2%). The familial form is characterized by
tendon xanthoma,
xanthelasma, and premature cardiovascular disease. The incidence of this disease is about one in 500 for heterozygotes, and one in 1,000,000 for homozygotes. HLPIIa is a rare genetic disorder characterized by increased levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood due to the lack of uptake (no Apo B receptors) of LDL particles. This pathology, however, is the second-most common disorder of the various hyperlipoproteinemias, with individuals with a heterozygotic predisposition of one in every 500 and individuals with homozygotic predisposition of one in every million. These individuals may present with a unique set of physical characteristics such as xanthelasmas (yellow deposits of fat underneath the skin often presenting in the nasal portion of the eye), tendon and tuberous xanthomas, arcus juvenilis (the graying of the eye often characterized in older individuals), arterial bruits, claudication, and of course atherosclerosis. Laboratory findings for these individuals are significant for total serum cholesterol levels two to three times greater than normal, as well as increased LDL cholesterol, but their triglycerides and VLDL values fall in the normal ranges. To manage persons with HLPIIa, drastic measures may need to be taken, especially if their HDL cholesterol levels are less than 30 mg/dL and their LDL levels are greater than 160 mg/dL. A proper diet for these individuals requires a decrease in total fat to less than 30% of total calories with a ratio of monounsaturated:polyunsaturated:saturated fat of 1:1:1. Cholesterol should be reduced to less than 300 mg/day, thus the avoidance of animal products and to increase fiber intake to more than 20 g/day with 6g of soluble fiber/day. Exercise should be promoted, as it can increase HDL. The overall prognosis for these individuals is in the worst-case scenario if uncontrolled and untreated individuals may die before the age of 20, but if one seeks a prudent diet with correct medical intervention, the individual may see an increased incidence of xanthomas with each decade, and Achilles tendinitis and accelerated atherosclerosis will occur.
Type IIb The high VLDL levels are due to overproduction of substrates, including triglycerides, acetyl-CoA, and an increase in B-100 synthesis. They may also be caused by the decreased clearance of LDL. Prevalence in the population is 10%. • Familial combined hyperlipoproteinemia (FCH) •
Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (often called
Cholesteryl ester storage disease) • Secondary combined hyperlipoproteinemia (usually in the context of
metabolic syndrome, for which it is a diagnostic criterion)
Type III This form is due to high
chylomicrons and IDL (intermediate density lipoprotein). Also known as
broad beta disease or
dysbetalipoproteinemia, the most common cause for this form is the presence of
ApoE E2/E2 genotype. It is due to cholesterol-rich VLDL (β-VLDL). Its prevalence has been estimated to be approximately 1 in 10,000.
Type IV Familial hypertriglyceridemia is an autosomal dominant condition occurring in approximately 1% of the population. This form is due to high
triglyceride level. Other lipoprotein levels are typically within the normal reference range or slightly increased. Treatment include diet control,
fibrates and niacins. Although statins are typically the first line treatment for hyperlipidemias, fibrates are actually better at reducing elevated triglyceride levels and are considered first line.
Type V Hyperlipoproteinemia type V, also known as mixed hyperlipoproteinemia familial or mixed hyperlipidemia, is very similar to type I, but with high
VLDL in addition to chylomicrons. It is also associated with glucose intolerance and hyperuricemia. In medicine, combined hyperlipidemia (or -aemia) (also known as "multiple-type hyperlipoproteinemia") is a commonly occurring form of hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol levels) characterized by increased LDL and triglyceride concentrations, often accompanied by decreased HDL. On lipoprotein electrophoresis (a test now rarely performed) it shows as a hyperlipoproteinemia type IIB. It is the most common inherited lipid disorder, occurring in about one in 200 persons. In fact, almost one in five individuals who develop coronary heart disease before the age of 60 has this disorder. The elevated triglyceride levels (>5 mmol/L) are generally due to an increase in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), a class of lipoprotein prone to cause atherosclerosis. Both conditions are treated with fibrate drugs, which act on the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), specifically PPARα, to decrease free fatty acid production. Statin drugs, especially the synthetic statins (atorvastatin and rosuvastatin) can decrease LDL levels by increasing hepatic reuptake of LDL due to increased LDL-receptor expression.
Unclassified familial forms These unclassified forms are extremely rare: •
Hyperalphalipoproteinemia •
Polygenic hypercholesterolemia Acquired (secondary) Acquired hyperlipidemias (also called secondary dyslipoproteinemias) often mimic primary forms of hyperlipidemia and can have similar consequences. == Screening and diagnosis ==