Abstract
Dyslipidemia is the most fundamental risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In clinical practice, many commonly prescribed medications can alter the patient’s lipid profile and, potentially, the risk for ASCVD—either favorably or unfavorably. The dyslipidemia observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be characterized as both ominous and cryptic, in terms of unrecognized, disproportionately elevated atherogenic cholesterol particle concentrations, in spite of deceptively and relatively lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Several factors, most notably insulin resistance, associated with the unfavorable discordance of elevated triglyceride (TG) levels and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), have been shown to correlate with an increased risk/number of ASCVD events in patients with T2DM. This review focuses on known changes in the routine lipid profile (LDL-C, TGs, and HDL-C) observed with commonly prescribed medications for patients with T2DM, including antihyperglycemic agents, antihypertensive agents, weight loss medications, antibiotics, analgesics, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapies. Given that the risk of ASCVD is already elevated for patients with T2DM, the use of polypharmacy may warrant close observation of overall alterations through ongoing lipid-panel monitoring. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce levels of atherogenic cholesterol particles and thus the patient’s absolute risk.
Highlights
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of premature death worldwide, accounting for 37 % of the 16 million annual deaths caused by noncommunicable diseases in those younger than 70 years of age [1]
This review focuses on drugs indicated for the management of hyperglycemia, as well as other commonly used medications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including antihypertensive agents, weight loss medications, antibiotics, analgesics, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Many medications widely prescribed for patients with T2DM influence, to varying degrees, selected components of the routine lipid profile (i.e. low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and TG levels) and, potentially the risk for ASCVD
Summary
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of premature death worldwide, accounting for 37 % of the 16 million annual deaths caused by noncommunicable diseases in those younger than 70 years of age [1]. Atherosclerosis is a process that begins early in life and its progression is dependent on the presence and magnitude of risks [2, 3]. Atherosclerosis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [4] for both men [5] and women [6]. In 2013, the worldwide, multidisciplinary, academic Residual Risk Reduction Initiative identified atherogenic dyslipidemia as a key contributor. Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven inflammatory disorder of the arterial wall caused by cholesterol deposition in the intima-media of vessels supplying cardiac or brain tissue [12].
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