Assessment of common risk factors and lifestyle habits associated with atherogenic risk and lipid-lowering therapy in men with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background and aims: Our objective was to determine common risk factors and lifestyle habits associated with atherogenic risk and with the use of lipid-lowering therapy in men with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was performed in the northwestern Algeria during eleven months on adult men patients with type 2 diabetes. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressures and lipid profile were evaluated. Data of common risk factors and lifestyle habits associated to atherosclerosis were compared between two groups according to the lipid lowering therapy use based on statins. Results: 147 adult men patients with type 2 diabetes were involved in the study, 68 (46.26%) were under statins therapy and 79 (53.74%) were not. Significant associations with statins use were observed regarding the age group of 61-70 years (OR: 0.156 [0.043-0.570]; p=0.005), a salary of less than 30000 Algerian dinars (≈250.60$) (OR: 5.758 [1.299-25.512]; p=0.021), age of diabetes of 2-3 years (OR: 0.105 [0.013-0.867]; p=0.036) as well as with lipid ratios and body mass index (BMI). However, no significant associations were noted regarding the other studied parameters (marital status, educational level, occupation, salary, and family history, smoking status, alcohol consumption and sports practices) with lipid lowering therapy. Conclusion: Age of patients, diabetes duration, lipid ratios and the low income of patients are the strongest factors associated with the use of lipid lowering therapy (statins). However, largest longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether modifiable lifestyle habits could influence the lipid lowering therapies prescription in diabetic patients over time.