Objective: To objectively evaluate lipid-lowering therapy and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) goal attainment in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients in China. Methods: Data regarding patient demographics, lipid-lowering agents, lipid parameters, and cardiovascular risk profiles were analyzed for 25,317 patients of the Dyslipidemia International Study-China. MetS was defined according to criteria of the NCEP-ATP III and the 2007 Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 39.9% and 37.4% according to the NCEP-ATP III and 2007 Chinese Guidelines, respectively. LDL-C goal attainment occurred less frequently among MetS patients than in those without MetS (NCEP-ATP III: 46.9% vs 68.6%; 2007 Chinese Guidelines: 52.2% vs 67.1%; p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for non-HDL-C goal attainment (2007 Chinese Guidelines: 51.0% vs 72.0%; p < 0.001). As the risk class increased, LDL-C and non-HDL-C goal attainment decreased. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, DM, CHD, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and higher SBP were independently associated with failure to achieve LDL-C and non-HDL-C goal attainment. The type of lipid-lowering agent was not significantly correlated with LDL-C not at goal attainment but was correlated with non-HDL-C not at goal attainment. Conclusion: Goal attainment for both LDL-C and non-HDL-C occurs less frequently in MetS patients than in those without MetS. The residual risk due to elevated non-HDL-C levels should be considered in MetS patients. Strategies for controlling multiple risk factors in order to decrease the residual risk related to dyslipidemia in MetS patients should be recommended in future guidelines. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.