Lipid-lowering treatment and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target achievement in patients with type 2 diabetes and acute coronary syndrome

Jean Ferrières 1, Dominik Lautsch 2, Peter Bramlage 3, Martin Horack 4, Carl A Baxter 5, Baishali Ambegaonkar 2, Peter P Toth 6, Kian-Keong Poh 7, Gaetano Maria De Ferrari 8, Anselm K Gitt 9

Main idea: Despite the different lipid profiles, the type of LLT prescribed did not vary depending on the presence or absence of type 2 diabetes. There was no difference in LLT in patients with and without diabetes at 4-month follow-up, except for fibrates, which were used in 2% of patients with and 1% of patients without diabetes. Statin monotherapy of intermediate potency was the predominant treatment in both groups.

Abstract

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus characteristically display an atherogenic lipid profile with high triglyceride concentrations, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations not always elevated. It is unclear if patients with diabetes who present with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) receive different or more-potent lipid-lowering therapy (LLT).

Aims: To investigate lipid abnormalities in patients with and without type 2 diabetes hospitalised for an ACS, and use of LLT before admission and 4 months after the event.

Methods: Patients were included in the observational DYSIS II study if they were hospitalised for an ACS and had a full lipid profile. Results: Of 3803 patients, diabetes was documented in 1344 (54.7%) Compared to patients without diabetes, those with diabetes had a lower mean LDL-C (101.2 vs. 112.0mg/dL; 2.6 vs. 2.9mmol/L) and a lower HDL-C concentration. LLT was more commonly given to patients with diabetes (77.5% vs. 58.8%) Four months after hospitalisation, most patients from both groups were being treated with LLT.

Source NIH