Age and sex-specific analysis of mixed dyslipidaemia among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Ho municipality: A cross-sectional study

Background : Sex and age are important factors that influence the prevalence of dyslipidaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the age and sex-specific patterns of dyslipidaemia have not been well characterised among patients with T2DM. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of mixed dyslipidaemia (MD) and the age and sex-specific differences in the risk factors of MD among patients with T2DM in the Ho municipality. Methodology: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was designed to conveniently recruit 193 participants with T2DM from the Diabetic Clinic of the Ho Municipal Hospital. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to collect socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical variables. Fasting blood samples were obtained for plasma glucose and lipid profile assays. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were made. MD was defined as the presence of dual or triple combination of lipid abnormality. In the subgroup analyses, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with MD. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated at 95% confidence interval (CI). A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, MD was present in 78(40.4%) of total study participants, higher in females (33.1%) and participants aged 50 years or older (27.5%). High LDL-C/high TG combination was most frequent in females (11.4%) and participants aged 50 years or older (11.4%). Alcohol intake was associated with a 15-fold increased risk of MD (AOR: 14.8; 95% CI: 1.48-147.43; p=0.022) among females. Being on insulin and oral combination therapy was associated with a lower risk of MD (AOR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.15-0.91; p=0.0313) among females. In participants aged 50 years or older, family history of diabetes and/or CVD remained significantly associated with MD (AOR: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.05-7.21; p=0.04) after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions : The prevalence of MD was high among patients with T2DM. Older age and female gender were more susceptible to MD with alcohol intake, combined hypoglycaemic therapy and family history of diabetes and/or CVD as independent predictors of MD. There is the need to evaluate MD in patients with T2DM particularly among females and the older population to reduce the risk of future CVD.