Disorders of lipid metabolism in 3 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
Wolffenbuttel, B.H.; Huijberts, M.S.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 145(16): 761-765
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 11346911 Document Number: 527032
Three patients with diabetes mellitus (type 2) and cardiovascular disease had disturbed lipid concentrations: two women aged 60 and 73 years and one man aged 47 years. The lipid levels were normalised during the 9-18 years of treatment with medication and in this period the patients experienced no cardiovascular events. Disturbances in plasma lipid levels play a major role in the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus (type 2). Cholesterol-lowering treatment should be aggressive and based on the lipid profile. Statins reduce cardiovascular events by lowering the concentration of both the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol whereas fibrates reduce cardiovascular events by increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and lowering triglyceride concentrations.