Dyslipidaemia in diabetes –an approach to therapeutic intervention

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic and cardiovascular disease and although the diagnosis is confirmed on blood glucose levels and anti-diabetic treatment is usually aimed at reducing glucose levels, the major contributor to mortality is, in fact, cardiovascular disease and in particular, coronary artery disease. This article discusses the difference between the lipid profiles of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and gives practical guidelines for pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalisations.