Diabetic dyslipidaemia

Type 2 diabetic patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease a nd, although many factors contribute to this risk, it is likely that diabet ic dyslipidaemia plays an important role. Dyslipidaemia in Type 2 diabetic patients is characterized by low levels of I-IDL cholesterol and high trigl yceride levels. In Type 2 diabetes, the total amount of LDL cholesterol is the same as in healthy people, but there are qualitative changes, e.g. a sh ift to smaller, denser LDL particles and an increased susceptibility to oxi dation. Oxidized LDL may promote the development of atherosclerosis. It is possible to modify the major abnormalities of diabetic dyslipidaemia by com bining lifestyle modifications (e.g. increased physical activity, cessation of smoking and weight reduction) with improved glycaemic control and hypol ipidaemic drugs to reduce the burden of CVD within this high-risk populatio n.