Triglyceride screening may improve cardiometabolic disease risk assessment in latinos with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes

To characterize metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence and cardiometabolic risk, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma lipids, blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference were measured in 211 Latino adults wiThtype 2 diabetes. Participants were obese (BMI=33.7±7.8 kg/ m2) and had poor glycemic control (HbA1c=9.6±1.8 %; FPG=190±85 mg/ dL), but normal LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations (98±38 mg/ dL, and 52±14 mg/ dL, respectively). Relative to the lowest, participants in the highest quintile of plasma triglycierides had higher total cholesterol (23%; p<.0001), FPG (47%; p<.0001), systolic blood pressure (3%; p<.05) and diastolic blood pressure (6%; p<.05), and lower HDL cholesterol (23%; p<.01). Comparable relationships were observed in an age- adjusted regression model. Framingham risk was equivalent to 9.4±6.4% and 12.2±9.6% 10-year CHD risk in men and women, respectively (p<.05). Cardiometabolic risk in this population is associated wiTha high prevalence of the MetS despite the relatively low cholesterol concentrations. Triglyceride screening may help identify individuals at higher risk.