Type III hyperlipidemia (Type III HLP) is associated with homozygosity for the epsilon2 allele of the APOE gene. However only about 10% of epsilon2 homozygotes develop Type III HLP and it is assumed that additional genetic and/or environmental factors are required for its development. Common variants in the LPL gene have been proposed as likely genetic co-factors.
Endokrinologie und Stoffwechsel, Medizinische Klinik III, Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. evans@uke.uni-hamburg.de