DYSLIPIDEMIA IN DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2; PREVALENCE, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, MANAGEMENT, AND TREATMENT

Introduction: Recently, the incidence of diabetes mellitus type 2 has been significantly increasing in most parts of the world, with some reports estimating and overall 592 million diabetics in the year 2035. Aim of work: In this review, we will review most recent medical literature on dyslipidemia in diabetes mellitus type 2 to discuss prevalence, pathophysiology, management, and treatment of dyslipidemia in these patients. Methodology: We did a systematic search for dyslipidemia in diabetes mellitus type 2 using PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. The terms used in the search were: dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus type 2, prevalence, management, treatment. Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus type 2 is well known to be associated with severe dyslipidemia along with endothelial damage which will lead to the development of atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular events. Therefore, diabetic patients must control dyslipidemia in order to decrease their risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. The first and initial step in preventing and managing dyslipidemia in diabetic patients, and patients with metabolic syndrome in general is the application of major changes in lifestyle. When lifestyle modifications fail in sufficiently controlling dyslipidemia, pharmacological agents can be considered. Pharmacological agents should also be considered in patients with relatively high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular changes within the next ten years. The first choice of antilipidemic drugs is statin.