Volume : 4, Issue : 2, February - 2015

A Study of Diabetic Dyslipidemia at an Outpatient Clinic in Chennai City

Dr. R. Shanker Md, Dr. Hemalatha Shanker Mbbs, D. Cos

Abstract :

<p>Background : Prevalence of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. Dyslipidemia associated with this is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Objective : To assess dyslipidemia associated with diabetes at a private clinic in urban areas of Chennai city. Methods : Patients attending a private clinic in Chennai were enrolled. Prevalence of diabetes was assessed by using fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels. Pattern of dyslipidemia was assessed in the diabetics using fasting lipid profile. Data was analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results : Around 345 patients were enrolled in the study. Blood glucose data was available for 313 patients. 71 patients out of the enrolled patients suffered from diabetes. Total cholesterol was elevated in about 35% of patients, Low density lipoprotein&ndash;cholesterol (LDL&ndash;c ) was higher than optimal in nearly half of the patients and serum High density lipoprotein&ndash;cholesterol ( HDL&ndash;c) was optimal in only 15% of the patients, while very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was elevated in 50% of the enrolled patients. Serum triglycerides were also elevated in 50% of the patients. Difference between males and females was not found to be statistically significant in any of the observed lipid parameters. Correlation between blood sugar and serum LDL&ndash;c was also found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusion : Our results reveal high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high LDL&ndash;c levels, high VLDL&ndash;c and low HDL&ndash;c, which are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.</p>