J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2026 Jul 6. doi: 10.1007/s44197-026-00603-1. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a growing public health concern in Saudi Arabia, where rapid lifestyle changes and rising obesity and diabetes rates have intensified the burden. Although multiple regional studies exist, no comprehensive synthesis of prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors has been conducted.
METHODS: We systematically reviewed observational studies on dyslipidemia in Saudi Arabia published between January 2000 and March 2025. Following the PRISMA 2020 framework, six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar) were searched, and 27 studies were found eligible. Data on study characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and most pertinent outcomes were extracted. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence studies was used for quality assessment. No protocol was prospectively registered. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects modeling to obtain pooled prevalence estimates; studies that did not meet pooling criteria were summarized narratively.
RESULTS: Among the 12 studies eligible for meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of dyslipidemia was 43.0% (95% CI: 41.8-44.1%) with considerable heterogeneity (I² = 97.2%). Individual estimates ranged from 20.3% to 82.4%. Awareness, treatment, and control data were derived from narrative synthesis, with awareness as low as 19%, treatment coverage below 30%, and typically less than 20% achieved lipid control. Risk factors commonly associated with dyslipidemia included obesity, diabetes, hypertension, older age, male sex, and physical inactivity, although these associations were based on cross-sectional data and do not imply causality. Adolescents and young adults showed elevated dyslipidemia in narrative-only studies. Most included studies were cross-sectional and of moderate risk of bias.
CONCLUSION: Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia but remains inadequately diagnosed, treated, and controlled. The findings indicate a need for national screening programs, lifestyle modification programs, and non-communicable disease management programs to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.
PMID:42402548 | DOI:10.1007/s44197-026-00603-1