Dyslipidaemia and its management in diabetic patients in an academic centre in Iran

Dyslipidaemia is accompanied with increased cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. Today there have been some improvements in the management of dyslipidaemia using lifestyle modification and medications. In this study we evaluate the management of dyslipidaemia in an academic centre.

This is a descriptive study, from January 2003 until December 2007. All type 2 diabetic patients who were more than 30 years old and had at least 2 visits per year were eligible for including.

Overall, 1179 patients (70.2% women) were assessed. Mean LDL-C in 2003 was 124.6 +/- 34.6 mg/dL, and decreased to 109.7 +/- 28.9 mg/dL in 2007 (p < 0.05). 21.0% of patients in 2003 and 40.5% of them in 2007 had LDL-C < 100 mg/dL. TG did not change during these years. There was an increase in the use of statins from 76.3% to 84.3% (p-value < 0.05) during the 5 years since 2003, but a decrease in the use of fibrates.

Although recently we have made improvements in the control of dyslipidaemia in diabetic patients, we have not reached our goals. Of late, physicians have emphasized the use of statins in diabetic patients, which has resulted in much better levels of LDL-C, but still less than half of the patients are at ideal levels. In conclusion, we should revise our point of view to begin and intensify treatment of dyslipidaemia in diabetic patients, to achieve the goal of treatment and prevent cardiovascular events optimally.