High rates of atherogenic dyslipidemia, β-cell function loss, and microangiopathy among Turkish migrants with T2DM

Non-Caucasian migrants require dedicated approaches in diabetes management due to specific genetic; socio-cultural; demographic and anthropological determinants. Documenting such phenotypes allows for better understanding unmet needs and management priorities.

This age- and sex-adjusted case-control (1:6 ratio) study compared 56 T2DM Turkish migrants (70% males) resident in Belgium [Tu] with 336 T2DM Caucasians [Ca], all benefiting from state-funded healthcare.

The 2 groups did not differ regarding BMI; waist circumference; fat mass; visceral fat; muscle mass; insulin sensitivity; insulinemia; metabolic syndrome; hypertension; lipid-modifying drugs; and macroangiopathy. They also had similar renal function and (micro)albuminuria. Education (low/high) and ethanol consumption were lower among [Tu]: 83/17% and 2.0 U/wk vs 43/57% and 13.6 U/wk in [Ca] (p < 0.0001). β-cell function loss (BCF) was higher in [Tu]: 1.58(0.45) vs 1.35(0.54)%/yr (p 0.0027), as was HbA1c: 8.39(1.91) vs 7.48(1.35)% in [Ca] (p < 0.0001). Diabetes duration and insulin use were increased in [Tu]: 19(9)yr and 70% vs 16(8)yr and 48% in [Ca] (p 0.0111 and 0.0024). Atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) was more prevalent in [Tu]: 64% vs 49% (p 0.0309), who had higher non-HDL-C; apolipoprotein B₁₀₀; LDL-C; and triglycerides; and lower HDL-C and apolipoprotein A-I levels (all p < 0.05). Overall microangiopathy; retinopathy; and neuropathy were more prevalent in [Tu]: 55-35-37% vs 40-18-20% in [Ca] (all p < 0.05).

These results should raise concerns about poor glycaemic control; rapid BCF loss; severe AD; and microangiopathy among Turkish migrants with T2DM. Targeting AD could improve the cardiometabolic profile of this minority given the relationship between AD and residual vascular risk.