Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Uncontrolled diabetes over a long period of time may end up in many systemic complications. High cholesterol levels can be caused by either primary or secondary causes, and one of the secondary causes is thought to be DM. The present study aims to measure the level of cholesterol in diabetic patients in Al Ahsa area, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 67 diabetic patients from the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The data collected include socio-demographics, cholesterol levels, other comorbidities, and complications. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Chi-squared test, independent t-test, and correlations test were also used.
Results: Thirty-three (49.3%) were male and 34 (50.7%) were female patients. There was a statistical difference between gender and blood pressure and total cholesterol levels among diabetic patients, as well as between the high cholesterol level and the age of patients.
Conclusion: The total cholesterol levels were significantly associated with gender and blood pressure. However, there was no significant statistical difference between high or borderline cholesterol levels separately and based on gender.
Key words: Diabetes mellitus (DM), cholesterol, Saudi Arabia
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