Prevalence and control of dyslipidemia among persons with diabetes in the United States

Objective : We assessed the prevalence, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia among United States (U.S.) adults with diabetes. Methods : Among 498 adults (projected to 13.4 million) aged >= 18 years with diabetes representative of the U.S. population and surveyed within the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000, control of lipids was classified according to American Diabetes Association criteria. The extent of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) control was examined by gender and ethnicity, in comparison to those without diabetes, and according to lipid-lowering treatment. Analyses were weighted to the U.S. population. Results : Less than one-third of men and only one-fifth of women with diabetes are in control for LDL-C, defined as < 2.6 mmol/ I (< 100 mg/dl); over 70% are not at goal. Over half of men and over two-thirds of women have low levels of HDL-C (<= 1.0 mmol/l [< 40 mg/dl] in men or < 1.3 mmol/l [<= 50 mg/dl] in women) and over half have elevated levels of triglycerides (>= 1.7 mmol/I [150 mg/dl]). Low HDL-C was more common in Caucasians (70.1%) than in Hispanics (58.8%) or AfricanAmericans (41.5%) (p < 0.001). 28.2% of subjects with diabetes were on lipid-lowering treatment. Control of LDL-C did not differ by treatment status and only 3% of subjects were controlled to target levels for all lipids. Conclusion : Many persons with diabetes remain uncontrolled for dyslipidemia. Intensified efforts at screening and treatment according to current guidelines are warranted. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.