Dyslipidaemia and Blood Pressure Patterns Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Calabar, Nigeria: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Context: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is frequently accompanied by dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Although these cardiometabolic abnormalities are well documented, there is limited local evidence describing their pattern among patients with T2DM in Calabar, Nigeria. This study compared lipid profile parameters and blood pressure patterns between adults with T2DM and healthy non-diabetic controls.

Materials and Methods: A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 adults comprising 40 T2DM patients and 40 apparently healthy non-diabetic controls recruited from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Fasting venous blood samples were collected for the determination of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C). Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardized procedures.

Results: Diabetic participants exhibited significantly higher LDL-C (4.64±2.40 vs. 3.27±1.78 mmol/L; p = 0.005) and TC (6.79±2.45 vs. 5.56±1.88 mmol/L; p = 0.004) than non-diabetic controls. No significant differences were observed in HDL-C, TG, or VLDL-C (p >0.05). Anthropometric parameters were comparable between groups. However, blood pressure patterns differed significantly (p = 0.008), with elevated blood pressure occurring more frequently among diabetic participants. HbA1C also differed significantly as 70.0% of diabetic participants had HbA1c values within the diabetic range compared with none of the controls (p<0.001).

Conclusion: T2DM was associated with significantly elevated atherogenic lipid fractions, abnormal blood pressure patterns, and poor long-term glycaemic control, highlighting an increased cardiovascular risk among affected individuals.