Evaluation of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Hyperlipidemic Normoglycemic Patients

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is an important health issue and a leading mortality reason in developed countries. In this study; we aimed to diagnose diabetes and other glucose disturbances early by evaluating the glycemic profi le in hyperlipidemic patients and to decrease the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by an early intervention. Methods: 46 female and 19 male, totally 65 hyperlipidemic normoglycemic patients were included in the study. Patients had no history of diabetes and normal fasting blood glucose levels and were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia during routine blood tests. There were no limitations for age, gender or body mass index. Coronary heart disease risk factors were questioned and fi ndings were used to determine the pathological low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for all patients. Results were evaluated according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) 1997 criteria. Results: Mean total cholesterol level of patients was 236±41 mg/dl, mean trigliserid level was 223±141 mg/dl and mean LDL level was 153±38 mg/dl. According to OGTT results ; mean fasting blood glucose level was 95±13 mg/dl and mean 2nd hour glucose level was 128±34 mg/dl. According to ADA 97 criteria; OGTT of 33 (51%) patients were normal. 2 (3%) patients had impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 11 (17%) patients had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 19 patients (29%) had diabetes. Conclusions: Hyperlipidemia and diabetes are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and they usually coexist. Identifi cation and early intervention of these risk factors are prognostically important. Thus; patients who are diagnosed with hyperlipidemia should be screened for glucose disturbances as a secondary risk factor and by early intervention of both risk factors, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality should be decreased.