Postprandial dyslipidemia: an atherogenic disorder common in patients with diabetes mellitus.

The increased risk of coronary artery disease among patients with diabetes mellitus is attributable, in part, to specific disorders of lipoprotein metabolism that are common in this population. These include disordered metabolism of very-low-density lipoprotein and/or chylomicrons that may be proatherogenic. Elevated postprandial triglycerides, peak postprandial triglyceridemia, and late postprandial triglyceride levels have been associated in clinical trials with both early coronary artery and carotid artery atherosclerosis for persons with normal lipid profiles and those with mild-to-moderate hyperlipidemia, independently of established risk factors. If hyperlipidemia cannot be managed through better glycemic control, diet, and exercise, then hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, fibric acid derivatives, and omega-3 fatty acids are safe and effective lipid-altering agents that can be used to correct these disorders.