HbA1c: Predictor of Dyslipidemia and Atherogenicity in Diabetes Mellitus

This study was done to evaluate the diagnostic value of Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in predicting diabetic dyslipidemia and atherogenicity. The study consisted of 70 male patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus of age between 45-50, duration more than 5 years. The patients were classified into two groups depending on their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); Good Glycemic Control (GGC) group having HbA1c 7.0% (n= 35). Dyslipidemia was defined as per the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III guidelines. Standard tests were used to analyze Fasting blood glucose level (FBSL), Glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c) and serum Lipid Profile: Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TCH), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). While Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) was calculated by standard formula (base 10 logarithm of the ratio of TG to HDL). Statistical analysis was done by Z test using Microsoft Office Excel 2010. HbA1c showed direct correlation with FBSL, TG, TCH, LDL and AIP while there was inverse correlation with HDL. Statistically significant „p‟ values were obtained for FBSL, TG, LDL and AIP. While that for TCH and HDL was not significant. These findings clearly indicate that HbA1c can provide valuable supplementary information about the extent of circulating lipids and AIP besides its primary role in monitoring long-term glycemic control. Thus, HbA1c can be used as a predictor of cardiovascular risk in diabetics.