A study on the association of lipid profiles with HbA1C levels and drug prescription in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has become a pandemic and a predominant health problem due to its rapid and increased prevalence in developed and developing countries. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycaemia. The increase in glucose level is due to inappropriate secretion or action of insulin. Diabetes has produced a significant impact on morbidity and mortality rate. The various complications produced due to chronic diabetes include retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. The major health problem includes occurrence of macrovascular complications like coronary artery diseases. Long-standing poor glycemic control results in hyperlipidemia, hypertension and obesity. This prospective, observational and cross-sectional study was undertaken as a short time project for a period of 3 months (December 2018-February 2019 by a second year MBBS student. The study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Medicine by the Department of Pharmacology. The study was initiated after obtaining approval from the human ethics committee and from the patients by voluntary consent. Around 150 patients who were confirmed with type 2 diabetes were selected to be part of the study. The patients were grouped according to their HbA1c levels (7-8%, 8-10% and above 10%) and each group had 50 patients. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose were measured in these patients. The present study confirmed elevation in lipid parameters with rise of HbA1c levels. Thus, the study clearly identified the need for early diagnosis of lipid levels in type 2 diabetes in order to prescribe suitable drugs by which further cardiovascular complications can be reduced.