Dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic high-prevalence metabolic disease, which is characterized by hyperglycaemia, but also with lipid and protein metabolism disorders. Patients with type 2 diabetes have a high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development and dyslipidemia is considered as a key marker of this increased risk. Hypertriglyceridemia, reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations, and a shift in low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL) distribution toward the small, triglycerides-rich particles, are the most important changes in the lipid profile in diabetes.Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder associated with low grade inflammation and oxidative stress, so in this condition high density lipoprotein particles (HDL) also undergo structural and functional changes and, as a consequence, lose their atheroprotective role. Dyslipidemia treatment in type 2 diabetes patients younger than 40 and without any other risk factor for CVD development starts with changes in a lifestyle, but in patients older than 40 years, first line medications are statins.Glycemic and lipid control in type 2 diabetes patients significantly reduces CVD risk.