Definitions of hypertriglyceridaemia in National Cholesterol Education Program152 correlated against Fredrickson-defined hyperlipidaemia class, predominant lipoprotein fractions and approximate prevalence in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES)9 and Very Large Database of Lipids study of specialised lipid sample requests11
Category | Definition (mmol/L; mg/dL) | Fredrickson class | Prevalence in general population (%) | Prevalence in lipid clinics (%) |
Normal | <1.7 (150) | 2A LDL | 67 | 59.9 |
Borderline | 1.7–2.2 (150-200) | 2A LDL | 15 | 3.9 |
Raised | 2.3–5.5 (200-500) | 2B LDL >VLDL | 16.5 | 10.3 |
High | 5.6–10.9 (500–1000) | 3 or 4 IDL and VLDL | 1.5 | 1.7 |
Severe | 11.0–19.9 (1000–1800) | 4 Excess VLDL | 24.1 | |
Extreme | >20–22 (>1800–2000) | 5 VLDL and CM | NA | 0.13 |
>20–22 (>1800–2000) | 1 CM and CM remnants | 1 in 106 | NA |
CM, chylomicron; IDL, intermediate density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; VLDL, very low-density lipoprotein.