Association between altered lipid profile, body mass index, low plasma adiponectin and varied blood pressure in Trinidadian type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

BACKGROUND: The obesity and hypertension have become the causes for the development type 2 diabetes. There is a limited study done on the contribution of body mass index (BMI) to blood pressure (BP) in the Caribbean population. Aim of our study was to determine the associations between lipid profile, BMI, adiponectin, and BP in Trinidadian type 2 diabetic patients with regards to age and ethnicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cohort study comprised of 266 subjects (85 males and 181 females) attending primary and tertiary healthcare settings in central Trinidad. Of which, 126 diabetic subjects were matched with 140 non-diabetic subjects. Along with clinical history and anthropometry, adiponectin and lipid profile were measured in fasting blood samples.

RESULTS: The diabetic group had higher triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and BP values which were statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared to non-diabetic subjects. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and adiponectin were lower in diabetic subjects. HDL-c showed significant changes for ethnicity (P = 0.013) and gender (P = 0.043). The mean adiponectin concentrations were found to be significantly different among the ethnic groups (P = 0.001). Systolic pressure varied significantly with age (P = 0.018). As age increased, BP also increased. Ethnic groups had a significant difference in diastolic pressure (P = 0.027). East Indians had the highest mean diastolic pressure (80.74 ± 10.29) when compared to all other ethnic groups.

CONCLUSION: HDL-cholesterol, low levels of adiponectin, and varied BP are associated in Trinidadian type 2 diabetic subjects with regards to age, gender, and ethnicity.