HbA1c – A predictor of dyslipidemia in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to determine the predictive value of HbA1c in detecting dyslipidemia in patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus. METHODS: A total of 142 consecutive patients of Type-2 diabetes mellitus were recruited in this study after informed consent. The study was conducted for 6 months from January 2019 – June 2019 in Creek General Hospital, Korangi, Creek, Karachi. Demographic data and detailed history was taken. A complete systemic examination was done for any complications or co-morbids present and related investigations were performed including Fasting lipid profile (CHO, TG’s, HDL, LDL, CHO/HDL), serum HbA1c, Creatinine and ECG. Data is analyzed on SPSS 16 for mean, frequencies and correlations. Pearsons Chi square test is used for analyses of Correlation RESULTS: In a total of 142 Type-2 diabetic patients 39(27.5%) were Males and 103(72.5%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1: 2.6. Mean age was 54.9yrs ± 10.7SD. Mean duration of diabetes was 7.37yrs ±5.64 SD years. Mean BMI is 26.8 ± 3.67kg/m2. 27(19.01%) patients had HbA1c ≤ 7% whereas 115(80.9%) had >7%. 81(57.04%) patients had dyslipidemia. HbA1c exhibited direct correlations with BMI, cholesterol, TG’s and LDL and inverse correlation with HDL with significant P value of <.05. TG’s were found significantly higher in females when compared with male patients. In addition, Metabolic syndrome also showed a strong correlation with increasing HbA1c levels especially in female gender (P0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicates that HbA1c can be used not only as a useful biomarker of long-term glycaemic control but also a good predictor of lipid profile.