Lipid management reduces cardiovascular complications in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes.

Abstract

Patients with type 2 diabetes are known to have an elevated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Prior to the development of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes, individuals undergo a prolonged prediabetic phase involving hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. This has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and is considered a cardiovascular risk equivalent. It is well known that dyslipidemia is an important contributor to the development of coronary artery disease. Treating diabetes with lipid-lowering agents reduces patients' cardiovascular risk. Preliminary studies have shown that similar benefits are seen even in persons with prediabetes. Hence, lipid-lowering agents should be considered not only in patients with type 2 diabetes, but also in individuals with prediabetes and with elevated lipid levels.