Lipid Testing among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes who was About to Commence Treatment at a Tertiary Health Care

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been shown to be associated with disturbances in lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Studies had also shown that dyslipidaemia is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular complications. We aimed to monitor the lipid profile pattern of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending clinic at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTTH). Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted on 30 diagnosed type 2 DM patients who were about to commence treatment at Medical outpatient (MOP) clinic of ESUTTH. Blood samples were drawn from the patients before they commenced treatment, six months into the treatment and at twelve months of the treatment. Blood samples were also drawn from 25 age matched apparently healthy controls that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The lipid profile included total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), calculated low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were also evaluated along with the lipid profile. The study was done from January to December 2016. Results This study was conducted on 30 participants with a mean age of 67.2 years for men and 60.8 years for women. At treatment nave, significantly lower mean serum levels of HDL and significantly higher serum levels of LDL and HbA1c were observed in male patients (p