Evaluation of Dyslipidemia, Lipid Ratios and Atherogenic Indices in Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Cardiovascular risk is high in the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The combination of DM and aging has an impact on dyslipidemia, lipid ratios, and atherogenic indices in the elderly which increases their cardiovascular risk. This study assessed the prevalence of lipid abnormalities, lipid ratios, and atherogenic indices among elderly type 2 DM patients in a tertiary hospital in Southwest Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional study that involved 92 elderly type 2 DM patients and 92 elderly controls without DM. The lipid profile, lipid ratios, and atherogenic indices were assessed and compared in both groups. P-value<0.05 was taken as significant. The mean ages of the diabetic and control groups were 66.73±5.18 years and 66.78±5.25 years, respectively. The overall prevalence of dyslipidaemia in the elderly DM group versus the control group was (94[97.9%]vs 86[89.6%]), P=<0.001). The mean values of TC and LDL-C and median values of TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, atherogenic index of plasma, and atherogenic coefficient were significantly higher among the elderly DM group than in controls (P=<0.001). The median value of HDL-c was significantly lower among the elderly DM group (P= 0.001). The prevalence rates of elevated lipid fractions among the elderly DM group vs control were elevated TC (54[56.3%]vs0[0%];P=<0.001); elevated LDL-C(47[49%]vs0[0%]; P=<0.001), elevated TG (58[60.4%]vs21[21.9%]; P=<0.001) and reduced HDL-C (88[91.7%]vs84[87.5%]; P=0.240). The elderly DM group had more mixed lipid abnormalities compared to controls (P=<0.001). Dyslipidaemia and atherogenic risk were high among elderly DM patients. Lipid ratios should be used to assess cardiovascular risk in these patients. Statins should be used in those with increased cardiovascular risk based on lipid assessment.