Abstract

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes have more chances of developing dyslipidemia when compared with nondiabetic persons; hence, they are at risk of developing cardiovascular complications. A timely intervention to normalize circulating lipids could reduce the chances of cardiovascular complications.

Objective: (1) To study the prevalence, pattern, and severity of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients, and (2) to find the association between glycemic control and serum lipid profile in diabetic patients.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the pattern of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients who are attending the Diabetes Clinic at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. After obtaining informed consent from eligible patients, detailed history, clinical examination, and laboratory testing of all the enrolled patients were done. Standard criteria were used to classify the patient in diabetes under control or not. If a patient showed any lipid component abnormality, he was classified as a dyslipidemic subject. Mean and standard deviation were used to express all parameters. The X2-test and unpaired t-test were used to know statistical significance. Pearson’s correlation test was performed to examine various correlations. All data entry was done in Microsoft Excel and analyzed with statistical software, Epi Info 7.

Result: Of 187 diabetic patients enrolled in the study, over 80% patients showed dyslipidemia. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was more among males when compared with female patients. Age, duration of diabetes, and obesity-like confounding factors were not able to influence the prevalence and pattern of diabetic dyslipidemia in our study. Only proper control of diabetes has shown statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) on prevalence and severity of dyslipidemia, consolidating the fact that the proper treatment and strict control of diabetes is the most important step in prevention of dyslipidaemia.

Conclusion: Only proper control of diabetes has shown statistically significant difference on the prevalence and severity of dyslipidemia, consolidating the fact that the proper treatment and strict control of diabetes is the most important step in the prevention and treatment of complications of diabetes.

Key words: Diabetes, glycemic control, dyslipidemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)