O-108 A study assessing the predictive utility of triglycerides and total cholesterol in identifying cardiovascular disease risk among adult patients attending Mahaicony District Hospital, Guyana

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed laboratory and clinical records of adult patients (>18 years) who underwent lipid profile testing at Mahaicony District Hospital, Guyana, between January and December 2024. Using convenience sampling, 821 records with complete total cholesterol and triglyceride results were included. Data were extracted from paper-based records and included age, sex, lipid parameters, and documented comorbidities. Elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL) and total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dL) were defined using standard clinical thresholds. Data were anonymized and analyzed using SPSS with descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Results: Mean total cholesterol was 229.9 ± 42.4 mg/dL and mean triglyceride level was 158.4 ± 84.7 mg/dL. Elevated total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dL) was observed in 85.2% of patients, while 50.6% had elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL). Triglyceride levels showed a strong positive correlation with VLDL (r=0.97, p0.05). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus frequently coexisted (p<0.001). Clinical diagnoses were documented in only 49.7% of patient records.

Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was highly prevalent among the sample, with elevated total cholesterol and triglyceride levels observed across age groups and both sexes. Triglycerides were strongly correlated with VLDL, while total cholesterol showed only a weak association with age and no significant sex-based differences. Lipid parameters demonstrated limited discriminatory value for individual cardiometabolic comorbidities, and substantial gaps in clinical documentation were identified. These findings highlight the need for routine lipid screening and improved medical record systems within rural primary healthcare settings.