title: Age- and Gender-Related Differences in LDL-Cholesterol Management in Outpatients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
abstract: Background. Dyslipidemia contribute to the excess of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk observed in women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is the major target for CHD prevention, and T2DM women seem to reach LDL-C targets less frequently than men. Aim. To explore age- and gender-related differences in LDL-C management in a large sample of outpatients with T2DM. Results. Overall, 415.294 patients (45.3% women) from 236 diabetes centers in Italy were included. Women were older and more obese, with longer diabetes duration, higher total-cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C serum levels compared to men (P < 0.0001). Lipid profile was monitored in ~75% of subjects, women being monitored less frequently than men, irrespective of age. More women did not reach the LDL-C target as compared to men, particularly in the subgroup treated with lipid-lowering medications. The between-genders gap in reaching LDL-C targets increased with age and diabetes duration, favouring men in all groups. Conclusions. LDL-C management is worst in women with T2DM, who are monitored and reach targets less frequently than T2DM men. Similarly to men, they do not receive medications despite high LDL-C. These gender discrepancies increase with age and diabetes duration, exposing older women to higher CHD risk.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Russo
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Epidemiology, Fondazione Mario Negri Sud, Via Nazionale, 66030 S. Maria Imbaro, Italy.
authors: Basilio
authors: B
authors: Pintaudi
authors: Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, ASL TO5, 10023 Chieri, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Giorda
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Epidemiology, Fondazione Mario Negri Sud, Via Nazionale, 66030 S. Maria Imbaro, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Lucisano
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Epidemiology, Fondazione Mario Negri Sud, Via Nazionale, 66030 S. Maria Imbaro, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Nicolucci
authors: Diabetes and Endocrinology Unit, Cardarelli Hospital, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
authors: Maria Rosaria
authors: MR
authors: Cristofaro
authors: Diabetes and Metabolism Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, 00157 Rome, Italy.
authors: Concetta
authors: C
authors: Suraci
authors: Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Unit, San Martino Hospital, 09170 Oristano, Italy.
authors: Maria Franca
authors: MF
authors: Mulas
authors: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, 00189 Rome, Italy.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Napoli
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Epidemiology, Fondazione Mario Negri Sud, Via Nazionale, 66030 S. Maria Imbaro, Italy.
authors: Maria Chiara
authors: MC
authors: Rossi
authors: Diabetes Unit, Montecchio Hospital, 42027 Montecchio Emilia, Italy.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Manicardi