Correlation between Hemoglobin A1c and Serum Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Referred to the Diabetes Clinic in Gorgan, Iran

Hyperlipidemia is a common risk factor for diabetes and its cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and serum lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 on 484 patients with type 2 diabetes referred to the Diabetes Clinic in Gorgan, Iran. Blood samples were taken from all patients and sent to laboratory for measurement of HbA1c, FBS and serum lipids. Data were collected via registration forms. The data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 20) using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson’s and Spearman’s coefficient tests. Results: Mean age of subjects was 56.61 ± 12.65 years with age range of 17 to 92 years. Mean duration of the disease was 13.52 ± 7.55 years (range: 1-44 years). Mean HbA1c level was 8.83 ± 1.8 mg/dl. There was a statistically significant correlation between HbA1c level and serum cholesterol (P=0.001), triglyceride (P=0.009), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.003) and FBS (P=0.0001). However, there was no statistically significant relationship between HbA1c and high-density lipoprotein levels (P= 0.8). Conclusions: High level of HbA1C is associated with dyslipidemia and can be used as predictors of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes patients.