Is there a need for dietary measures to further reduce LDL cholesterol in patients with type II diabetes mellitus on statin therapy?

Winters, Stephanie M.; Visser, Hannah; Steerneman, Anke H.M.; Thomas, Gregory; Bots, Michiel L.; van der Heijden, Geert J.

doi:10.1016/j.pcd.2008.01.004

« Previous Next »Primary Care Diabetes
Volume 2, Issue 1 , Pages 51-54, 2008

Is there a need for dietary measures to further reduce LDL cholesterol in patients with type II diabetes mellitus on statin therapy?

Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Str. 6.131, Heidelberglaan 100, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands

Received 21 September 2007; received in revised form 14 January 2008; accepted 14 January 2008. published online 22 February 2008.

Abstract

Purpose

To study the need for dietary measures to further reduce LDL cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on statin therapy.

Methods

A Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane library search was performed to identify relevant articles. After critical appraisal six articles were ranked according to relevance, validation and level of evidence.

Results

There were no studies performed among type II diabetics. Among patients with hypercholesterolaemia, diet led to an additional LDL reduction from 0.20 to 0.88mmol/l, translating into 23% reduction in vascular risk.

Conclusion

We recommend a low-fat diet on top of statin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus assuming that effects found in hypercholesterolaemic patients also apply to type 2 diabetics.

Keywords: Diabetes, Statin therapy, LDL Cholesterol, Hypercholesterolaemia