Serum cholesterol levels and ischemic heart disease in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients.

Objective. Determine the frequency and relationship between ischemic heart disease (IHD) and serum cholesterol levels (SCL) in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) of the primary medical care level. Material and methods, A total of 411 patients from the first medical care level were studied. The sociodemographic profile, SCL and glycemia were determined and conventional ECG was taken. The ST uneveness, ischemic T or pathological Q waves in two or more tappings was considered as IHD. Patients with history of ii-ID were not included. Results. The male:female ratio was 1.5:1. Mean SCL was 225 mg/dl (in females 240.8+/-56 mg/dl and 220.7+/-50.7 in males). In 90 patients we identified IHD (22%), with male predominance (0.85:1, F:M). In the stratified statystical analysis the SCL greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl and IHD were significantly associated. The frequency of IHD by SCL levels of 200-239 mg/dl was 24.6% (OR 2.04; CI 95% 1.03-4.07, p= 0.04) and 24.2% (OR 1.99; CI 95% 1.02-3.96, p= 0.04) for SCL of 240-300 mg/dl; in patients with SCL >300 mg/dl, an increase of IHD to 38.7% was observed (OR 3.95; CI 95% 1.52-10.30, p= 0.002). Conclusions, The hypercholesterolemia was one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors in NIDDM, in which SCL greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl must be considered strongly associated to IHD.