Triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is elevated in patients with complicated type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction/Aims: Microvascular and macrovascular complications lead to recurrent hospital admissions, hospitalizations, disability, and death in the course of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio (THR) is associated with insulin resistance. We aimed to find out whether there is a relationship between THR and diabetic complications in patients with T2DM. Methods: Patients with T2DM were enrolled in the study. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of diabetic complications. Characteristics and laboratory data of the patients with (group A) and without (group B) diabetic complications were compared. Results: Median THR values of the groups A and B were 3.86 (0.33-53.38) and 2.86 (0.63-17.88), respectively (p = 0.006). THR level was significantly and positively correlated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r = 0.12, p = 0.04) and fasting glucose levels (r = 0.14, p = 0.02). Conclusion: We suggest that THR should be monitored in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in order to detect diabetic microvascular complications earlier. Increased THR levels should prompt further investigation of diabetic complications in this population.