ACHIEVEMENT OF TARGET LDL-C IN TYPE 2 DM PATIENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common diseases in the world and Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is among the most common preventable complication of DM. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is known to be a major risk factor for developing CVD. Many guidelines have suggested that controlling LDL-C can contribute to lower the mortality among CVD patients. Aim: To assess Achievement of Target LDL-C in type 2 DM patients in Saudi Arabia, and the prevalence of Lipid lowering agents use among these patients. Data sources: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Embase, and Google Scholar.

Methods: Non interventional retrospective cross sectional study.

Results: The study included 100 patients, age range was between 25 – 82 years old with a Mean age of 51,60. 51% of the participants were males, while 49% were females. 23% of the patients had optimal LDL cholesterol levels below 1,8 mmol/L, while 77% of had suboptimal levels above 1,8 mmol/L. SpearmanÂ’s rank correlation was computed to assess the relationship between LDL and BMI. There was a positive correlation between the two variables, r = 0,071, p = 0,484. The correlation was not significant at the 0,05 level of significance. SpearmanÂ’s rank correlation was computed to assess the relationship between LDL and A1C. There was a positive correlation between the two variables, r = 0,051, p = 0,612. The correlation was not significant at the 0,05 level of significance. The most used medication for lowering cholesterol was atorvastatin, which was taken by 64% of the patients, followed by rosuvastatin, 23% of the patients, 4% of the patients used simvastatin, and 9% of the patients did not receive any treatment and was not offered to them in their follow up visit. 54% of patients who were receiving Lipid lowering therapy did not had dose adjustments during their regular follow up.

Conclusion: It is extremely important to achive targeted LDL-C in diabetic patients. Physicians should always aim to reach the targeted level by following the latest guidelines and encouraging patients compliance to medications and lifestyle modifications hence preventing the complications.