LDL-C properly managed in older T2DM patients

Regardless of the use of medication, levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) appear to be appropriately managed in older type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, contributing to the prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD), a recent study has found.

Researchers conducted a retrospective, single-centre analysis of 124 T2DM patients (aged ≥75 years, 67 women) who were free from CAD at enrolment. The outcome was LDL-C control, defined as achieving the target concentration of <120 mg/dL. Analyses were stratified according to the use of lipid-lowering agents such as statins and ezetimibe.

Mean LDL-C levels were significantly lower in T2DM patients taking medication (93.0 vs 102.1 mg/dL; p<0.05). Nevertheless, LDL-C remained below the 120-mg/dL target in both groups. Levels of glycated haemoglobin were likewise significantly lower in those taking LDL-C-lowering drugs (6.9 vs 7.3 percent; p=0.04).

Of note, nearly half (n=65) of the patients were not taking antihyperlipidaemic agents and were instead only applying lifestyle and dietary adjustments. Of those taking such medications, moderate-intensity statins were the most commonly dispensed agent, accounting for half of this patient subgroup.

On the other hand, majority (88.7 percent) of patients were given antidiabetic agents, which were commonly dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and alpha glucosidase inhibitors. Only 11.3 percent of patients were on diet therapy alone for T2DM.

“LDLC was properly managed by any of the treatment methods in these patients, and primary prevention for CAD could be continued regardless of the presence or type of LDL-C-lowering agents by selecting appropriate treatments with careful attention to nutritional status and other cardiovascular disease risk factors,” the researchers said.