Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemia is a major contributing factor to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients. People with T2DM are at a significantly high risk of developing dyslipidaemia which in turn is a risk factor for CVD. The objective of this study was to assess the risk factors for CVD in T2DM patients. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 T2DM patients consecutively presenting at Kabutare District Hospital, Huye District southern Rwanda. Excluded were patients on lipid lowering drugs and those with chronic renal and liver diseases. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 79% with hypoalphalipoproteinaemia (47%) being the most common and hypercholesterolaemia (29%) the least frequent. When stratified according to glycaemic control, median diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher (p=0.045) in participants whose median fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was ≥5.6 mmol/L. Median fasting triglycerides (p=0.006) and non-HDL-C (p=0.019) concentrations were significantly lower in euglycaemic participants compared to participants with median FPG ≥5.6 mmol/L. Dysglycaemia was significantly associated with dyslipidaemia status (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Effective management and monitoring of dyslipidaemia, particularly among those with poor glycaemic control, is crucial in mitigating CVD risks in this population.