Dyslipidaemia pattern and prevalence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on lipid-lowering therapy at a Tertiary Central South African Hospital

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Date
2020-09
Authors
Pitso, Lebohang
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University of the Free State
Abstract
Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of death worldwide. A large number of deaths due to ASCVD occur among people with diabetes mellitus (DM). One of the important modifiable risk factors associated with ASCVD is dyslipidaemia and its prevalence is not known in central South Africa (SA). This study aimed to determine the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidaemia among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients on lipid-lowering therapy. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective patient record study was conducted at Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, in central SA. The study population included 143 consecutive T2DM patients of any age that attended the Diabetes Clinic from 1 January to 31 March 2019. The patients had to be on lipid-lowering therapy for a minimum duration of 3 months. Data was sourced from the clinic files and it included lipid profile, anthropometric and demographic data. Dyslipidaemia was defined using the 2018 SA dyslipidaemia guidelines. Result: The median age of the study participants was 63 years (interquartile range 52-71 years). Majority of the participants (n=92; 64.3%) were female. The median duration of DM diagnosis was 18 years (interquartile range 13-23 years). The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 86.7% that occurred in 124 out of the 143 subjects. Combined dyslipidaemia, namely triglycerides (TG) + low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) + TG or HDL + LDL, was the most common pattern (n=51; 42.5%) largely due to raised TG+LDL contributing 37.2% to this pattern. The second and third most common pattern was isolated (LDL, HDL or TG) and mixed dyslipidaemia (TG+HDL+LDL) at 40.8% and 16.7%, respectively. The most frequent abnormal lipid particle (n=84; 70%) was LDL cholesterol ≥ 1.8mmol/L. Of the 140 participants on statin therapy, only 5% were on high-intensity statin therapy. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia among DM patients despite the use of lipid-lowering therapy in this small retrospective study. The study highlights the need for better education of healthcare providers regarding the intensification of lipid-lowering therapy, along with improved strategies to address poor glycaemic control and other modifiable lifestyle factors.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Phil. (Endocrinology)) -- University of Free State, 2020, Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Diabetes mellitus, Dyslipidaemia, South Africa, Statin
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