Dyslipidaemia in adults with type 1 diabetes—when to treat?

Abstract

Dyslipidaemia is an important modifiable risk factor contributing to the increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in diabetes. However, determining when to initiate statin therapy in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) can often be challenging. This is due to a relative paucity of data in this area to guide management and for developing T1DM-specific risk engines. Current recommendations from international guidelines offer differing approaches to cardiovascular risk stratification and management of dyslipidaemia in T1DM. We present a clinical vignette and comment on the use of nontraditional methods of cardiovascular risk stratification. The strategy for managing dyslipidaemia in young T1DM should be individualized, and recommendations from guidelines should serve to inform clinical judgement.