Understanding the Causes and Natural Course of Lipid Disorders Including High and Low Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying people with dyslipidemias, which are disorders affecting the fat content in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. These fats travel in the blood within particles called lipoproteins, which can contribute to blood vessel diseases like atherosclerosis and heart attack. The study aims to evaluate and understand genetic defects and variations in lipid metabolism through detailed plasma evaluations, especially in patients with unusual lipid disorders that standard tests cannot diagnose. Participants in this observational study will undergo various accepted medical tests and procedures to assess their lipid profiles. These include measuring plasma cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides, as well as specialized plasma assays of apolipoproteins and enzymes involved in lipid metabolism. The study includes patients referred from different sources with potential lipid abnormalities or clinical signs such as xanthomas. Children under 2 years old are excluded. During the study, participants will have their blood analyzed to measure lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, and related enzymes and receptors to help with accurate diagnosis and treatment guidance. Researchers will collect these data over a long period, up to 25 years, to better understand the natural history of lipid disorders. Participants may undergo clinical evaluations and receive careful monitoring throughout their involvement.

Causes and Natural History of Dyslipidemias