Comparison of Dyslipidemia Pattern Between Newly Diagnosed and Known Type 2 Diabetics

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular risk factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus and may already be substantially present at the time of diagnosis. Objective: To compare the pattern and severity of dyslipidemia between newly diagnosed and established type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted in the medical unit of Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from April to September 2023. A total of 120 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited through consecutive sampling and allocated into two groups: 60 newly diagnosed and 60 with established disease. After a 10- to 12-hour fast, blood samples were obtained for fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL. Dyslipidemia was defined according to NCEP ATP III criteria. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 23 using independent-samples t-test and chi-square test, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Newly diagnosed patients had significantly higher total cholesterol (222.34 ± 42.98 vs 198.50 ± 36.29 mg/dL; p=0.001), triglycerides (216.26 ± 70.70 vs 180.64 ± 53.07 mg/dL; p=0.002), LDL-C (144.37 ± 36.93 vs 119.02 ± 31.05 mg/dL; p<0.001), VLDL (43.25 ± 14.14 vs 36.13 ± 10.62 mg/dL; p=0.002), and lower HDL-C (35.60 ± 6.78 vs 43.44 ± 9.61 mg/dL; p<0.001). Any dyslipidemia was present in 100.0% of newly diagnosed and 96.7% of established patients. Low HDL-C was the most prominent abnormality, affecting 90.0% versus 55.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients exhibit a markedly worse lipid profile than established diabetics, supporting comprehensive lipid assessment at the time of diagnosis.