Pattern and determinants of dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Kuwait

We conducted a clinical study to assess the pattern of dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetic patients and to examine the demographic and clinical factors associated with dyslipidaemia. The study population comprised 206 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients attending the out-patient clinic at a major hospital in Kuwait. Clinical history and physical examination were done and fasting blood samples were taken to determine HbA1c and lipid levels. American Diabetes Association criteria were applied to define clinical targets for lipid levels and coronary heart disease risk categories. Stepwise multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the demographic and clinical factors associated with lipid levels outside of the clinical target. The large majority of the patients were either over-weight (32%) or obese (57%); the mean BMI was 32.6 kg/m2. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were above optimal levels in 67%, 86%, and 25% of patients, respectively. For HDL-cholesterol, 63% of men and 71% of women had values below the corresponding optimal level. Only 14 patients (6.8%) had all three lipid values within the respective target level. The percentages of patients with one, two, or all three lipid values outside of target were 31%, 46%, and 16%, respectively. The most frequent (41%) pattern of dyslipidaemia was a combination of LDL-cholesterol level above target with HDL-cholesterol level below target; the second most common pattern was an isolated increase in LDL-cholesterol, observed in 21% of the patients. In the stepwise regression analyses, glycaemic control was strongly associated with dyslipidaemia (i.e. high total- and LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides); female gender were associated with low HDL-cholesterol. Kuwaiti type 2 DM patients have a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia and obesity. Weight reduction, increased physical activity, improved glycaemic control, and increased HDL-cholesterol levels, along with reduced LDL-cholesterol, should be important goals of therapy in these patients to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.