Hypertriglyceridemia: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
A 60-year-old male presents to the clinic. He gets routine labs that reveal a triglyceride level of 300 mg/dL and LDL of 140 mg/dL. All other labs are unimpressive. Which of the following is a physical exam finding would you most likely expect to see?
A. Eruptive xanthomas
B. Acanthosis nigricans
C. Quicke’s sign
D. Arcus senilis
E. Both A and D can be seen
Answer and topic summary
The answer is E. Both A and D can be seen
Hypertriglyceridemia is defined by triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/dL. It’s fairly common as about 1/3 of people in the United States have hypertriglyceridemia. It can be caused by obesity, diabetes, alcoholism, nephrotic syndrome, and Cushing disease. Typically there are no signs or symptoms, but some may have xanthomas which are nodular lipid deposits in the tendons and in the skin. They may also have arcus senilis, which is a ring-like opacity formed by lipid position near the corneal limbus. Management depends on the severity of the triglyceridemia and the patient’s ASCVD risk. Treatment may include lifestyle management (smoking cessation, weight loss, exercise), omega-3 fatty acid, icosapent ethyl, or fibrate therapy.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Cardiology ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Family Medicine EOR topic lists
