Objective: The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of dyslipidemia in a population of youth with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to examine the relationship between the lipid parameters and other known cardiovascular risk factors.
Methods: Ninety-nine youth aged 7-17 yr with T2DM had a fasting blood sample for lipid and lipoprotein levels [total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG)], apolipoprotein B (apoB), blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1(C)). Lipid profiles were compared with a non-diabetic population of Canadian First Nation (FN) youth and to published reference data. Rates of obesity, hypertension, smoking, and poor glycemic control were recorded and the relationship between these cardiovascular risk factors and lipid patterns was analyzed.
Results: Fifty-seven percent of the subjects were female and 95% were of self-declared FN heritage. The mean levels of all components of the lipid profile were elevated in the group with T2DM compared with the control population (p < 0.001). ApoB levels exceeded the 75th %ile of the control population in 72% of those with T2DM. Thirty-seven percent of those with T2DM had elevated TG and apoB levels. Forty percent were smokers. Fifty-nine percent had an HbA1(C) that was greater than 7.0%. Thirty-nine percent had a BMI z-score >/= 2 but less than 15% had systolic hypertension.
Conclusions: Atherogenic lipid profiles are common in youth with T2DM. Elevated apoB levels with normal LDL-c levels highlight the importance of a full lipid panel including apoB in defining potential modifiable cardiovascular risk in this population with high rates of obesity, smoking, and poor glycemic control.