Prevalence and control of cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in southern region of Saudi Arabia

Background/Aim: Dyslipidemia is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality in diabetes patients. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence rates, characteristics of dyslipidemia and their control in outpatient population in a Diabetic Centre. Methods: A cross sectional prospective study design was used to collect data from 255 patients which included patient characteristics, past medical history of CVD, medications and parameters related to DM and cardiovascular risk factor control. Blood pressure and laboratory measurements for glycosylated hemoglobin and lipoprotein panel were recorded. Results: Body mass index (BMI) of the dyslipidemic diabetic patients was significantly higher for females. In terms of age, duration of diabetes, family history, diabetes treatment offered did not differed significantly among genders. Clinical characteristics of HDL values were significantly higher for female in comparison to men (P ¼ 0.02) whereas glycosylated hemoglobin and blood pressure appeared not to differ significantly. Among the three factors studied BMI, duration of diabetes mellitus and drug therapy on lipoprotein levels of diabetes patients, except for the influence of drug therapy which influenced significantly the total cholesterol level (P ¼ 0.02). Number of females with normolipid were more than males (P ¼ 0.009) and number of males with abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride patients were significantly more than females (0.0002). Conclusion: Dyslipidemia among males were higher than females which could be a significant risk factor for causing low glycemic control culminating in cardiovascular events. Control of hyperglycaemia and other CVD risk factor appears to be suboptimal in Saudi Arabia. Addressing health system components such as providing medical staff training, incentive to health professionals and better patient education may improve quality of DM care.