CME OnDemand: 2022 AOFAS Annual Meeting-Dyslipidemia Increased the Risk of Achilles Tendon Disorders in Underweight Rather Than In Obese Subjects

Dyslipidemia Increased the Risk of Achilles Tendon Disorders in Underweight Rather Than In Obese Subjects

Pdf Summary

A nationwide longitudinal cohort study conducted in South Korea found that dyslipidemia, specifically high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), increased the risk of Achilles tendon disorders in underweight individuals rather than in obese individuals. The study followed subjects who underwent the National Health Screening Program and identified those with three or more clinic visits for newly diagnosed Achilles tendinopathy (AT) or Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) before December 2017. The diagnosis of AT and ATR was verified using administrative claims data. The overall incidence rates of AT and ATR were 9.59 and 2.20 cases per 10,000 person years, respectively. The study found a positive association between LDL-C levels and the risk of both AT and ATR. Higher levels of triglycerides (TG) were also associated with a slightly increased risk of AT, but not ATR, while higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were associated with a slight risk reduction for AT, but not ATR. Interestingly, the association between higher LDL-C levels and AT and ATR was more pronounced in underweight individuals than in overweight and obese individuals. The study suggests that dyslipidemia control, even in normal or underweight individuals, may be important in preventing Achilles tendon disorders. However, the study has limitations, including the reliance on administrative claims data for diagnosis and the inability to distinguish between insertional and non-insertional AT. Overall, the study highlights the potential link between dyslipidemia and tendon pathology and calls for further research in this area.

Asset Subtitle

Jun Young Choi, M.D., Ph.D.,JinSoo Suh, M.D., Ph.D.

Keywords

nationwide longitudinal cohort study

South Korea

dyslipidemia

low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDL-C

Achilles tendon disorders

underweight individuals

obese individuals

triglycerides

high-density lipoprotein cholesterol