Gender differences in lipid and glycemic control in Saudi patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

To assess and determine gender differences in frequency distribution of lipids and glycemic control in Saudi diabetic patients. This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Physiology and Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University. A total of 1000 Saudi diabetic patients were randomly selected. Selection criteria included Saudi National of any sex aged more than 25 years. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low density lipoprotein [LDL]. high density lipoprotein [HDL], glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]. Glycemic and lipid control was compared between male and female diabetics. Female diabetics were younger than males [p=0.04]. Female diabetic subjects had higher HbA1c than males [p=0.007]. Moreover, they tended to be more obese than males [p=0.0001]. The systolic blood pressure was also higher in females than males [p=0.045]. Lipid profile showed higher levels of TC, LDL and TG levels in females than males [p=0.0004. p=0.04 and p=0.007, respectively]. Prevalence of poor glycemic and lipid control was significantly more in females compared to male patients [p<0.001 and p<0.0001]. Saudi diabetic women had poor glycemic and lipid control as compared to male diabetics. Moreover, they tend to be more obese. These findings may be attributed to poor lifestyle