Dyslipidemia Often Undiagnosed in Diabetics

Dyslipidemia remains largely undiagnosed and undertreated in patients with type 1 diabetes and in nondiabetics as well. "Despite an increased risk of coronary heart disease in type 1 diabetes, little is known concerning awareness and adequacy of dyslipidemia treatment in this population," Dr. R. Paul Wadwa and colleagues write in the current Diabetes Care Journal.

Between 2000 and 2002, the researchers examined the prevalence of dyslipidemia in 1416 subjects between the ages of 19 and 56 years with no history of coronary heart disease. Of these individuals, 652 had type 1 diabetes and 764 were nondiabetic controls.

Overall, 47% of type 1 diabetic subjects had dyslipidemia, compared with 58% of nondiabetic controls (p < 0.001). A higher percentage of patients with type 1 diabetes with abnormal lipids were aware of their lipid levels (52% versus 34% of controls, p < 0.0001), were on medication for their lipid levels (36% versus 9%, p < 0.0001), and were in control of their lipid levels (15% versus 1.4%, p < 0.001).

Of 109 diabetic patients on lipid-lowering medication, 41% had normal lipid profiles, compared with 15% of 41 nondiabetic patients (p < 0.01).

Dr. Wadwa said that, "While the patients with type 1 diabetes in this study had better awareness and control of lipid levels, there is still a large number of people, both with and without diabetes, who are not aware of their abnormal lipid levels or do not have adequate control of their lipids."

"Increased awareness and increased treatment of dyslipidemia could have a significant impact on the rate of heart disease in type 1 diabetes patients and those people without diabetes."

"As medical professionals caring for patients with diabetes, we need to continue to emphasize the importance of awareness and treatment of dyslipidemia with our patients to improve lipid levels and potentially decrease the risk for heart disease," Dr. Wadwa concluded.
Diabetes Care 2005;28:1051-1056.

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