Glycated haemoglobin: A marker of circulating lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a group of metabolic disorder and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and dyslipidaemia. Patients with T2DM have dyslipidaemia at wavering degrees, characterised by increased levels of triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. In the present study, we evaluated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as a marker of circulating lipids in patients with T2DM. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-nine patients with T2DM were enrolled for the study. A detailed biochemical and lipid profile was done for all patients. Results: Of 239 cases, 96 (40%) were male and 143 (60%) were female. Of 239 patients, 53 (22%) patients with T2DM had controlled glycaemia (HbA1c <6.5) and 186 (78%) patients had uncontrolled glycaemia (HbA1c ≥6.5). Pearson's correlation of HbA1c with all lipid parameters was statistically significant. HbA1c, however, had an inverse correlation with HDL and had a significant direct correlation with fasting blood glucose. Conclusion: The study reveals that HbA1c is not only a reliable glycaemic index but can also be used as an important indicator of dyslipidaemia in patients with T2DM.

Keywords

• Diabetes mellitus type 2
• dyslipidaemia
• glucose
• glycated haemoglobin
• lipids