Dyslipidemia: A Frequently Missed Disorder in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus a deadly combination need early diagnosis, proper management, and regular follow up.Aims of the study: Is to find the proportion, pattern, and factors related to dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methodology: A cross sectional study on 74 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the diabetes clinic in Al-Hindeya General Hospital to evaluate them for the prevalence of dyslipidemia. The patients underwent a series of investigations including serum lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin among others.Results: Dyslipidemia reported in 73% of the studied group. Elevated low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and reduced high density lipoprotein were noted in 28, 22, 16, and 16 patients, respectively. Patients' age above 50 years significantly associated with elevated mean TG (P-value=0.04), TC (P-value=0.001), and reduced mean HDL-C (P-value=0.004). Poor glycemic control significantly associated with elevated mean TG (P-value=0.04). Disease duration more than 5 years adversely affects mean TG level (P-value=0.01). Obesity showed highly significant correlation with elevated mean TG (P-value=0.001), TC (P-value=0.006), and LDL-C (P-value=0.001). Insulin therapy showed highly significant association with elevated mean TC (P-value=0.006) and reduced mean HDL-C (P-value=0.001). Patient gender did not affect the prevalence of dyslipidemia.  Conclusions: Dyslipidemia detected in 73% of the patients and manifested by variable combinations of elevated low density lipoproteins, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and reduced high density lipoprotein. Older age, poor glycemic control, longer disease duration, obesity, and using insulin therapy are significantly associated with dyslipidemia.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol.