Dyslipidaemic pattern of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the study was to define dyslipidaemic pattern among type 2 diabetic patients using American Diabetes Association guidelines for the classification of lipoprotein concentrations into CVD risk categories. The total number screened was 211 type 2 diabetic patients who were on treatment between 2001 - 2002 for diabetes at the Outpatient Diabetes Clinic in HUSM Kubang Kerian. Fasting venous blood samples were analysed for plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin and serum lipids. Type 2 diabetic patients with high, borderline, and low risk LDL cholesterol level were 62 %, 25 %, and 10 %, respectively. There were 26 % patients in the high risk HDL cholesterol group, 31 % were in the borderline risk group, and 43 % were in the low risk group. Only 3 % and 25 % of patients had triglycerides concentration in the high and borderline risk categories, respectively, but 72 % had low risk triglycerides levels. More female and younger subjects than men and older subjects had HDL cholesterol in high and borderline risk categories. The percentages of patients with triglycerides values at high and borderline high risk category were higher in poor and acceptable glycaemic control groups than good glycaemic control group. The most prevalent dyslipidaemia pattern was an isolated LDL cholesterol increase, which was observed in 35 % of the patients. The second most common pattern of dyslipidaemia was a combination of LDL cholesterol above goal with HDL cholesterol below target, which was observed in 30 % patients. Patients with established dyslipidaemia will require advice regarding diet, exercise and improvement in glycaemic control. An active strategy of early detection and drug treatment for dyslipidaemia is needed for type 2 diabetic patients.