Hypertriglyceridemia is a lipid’s metabolism disorder reported in 19% to 70% type 2 diabetes patients [1], compared, for example, to a global prevalence of 27% in the Copenhagen General Population Study [2]. Considered for a long time as a cardiovascular risk marker in combination with High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) level and Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) particles size decrease, insulin resistance and weight gain, hypertriglyceridemia seem to be according to recent epidemiological data, an independent cardiovascular risk factor [3]. It intervenes especially alongside other factors as a residual cardiovascular risk factor, i.e. the risk of cardiovascular events which persists in subjects despite an achievement of LDL cholesterol level, blood pressure and blood glucose targets [4]. To date, these current evidences are not enough taken into account most of recommendations for cardiovascular risk’s evaluation and prevention. In order to describe the spectrum of this lipid’s disorder in our diabetes patients, we have performed this study to determine the prevalence, the typology, and the factors associated with hypertriglyceridemia in a cohort of newly type 2 diabetes patients in Ouagadougou.

The study was performed from May 2015 to June 2016 in the Internal medicine department, Yalgado Ouédraogo teaching hospital (CHUYO). It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study of an accidental sample of newly type 2 diabetes outpatients. Adults’ naïve of antidiabetic therapy (i.e. newly type 2 diabetes patients who have not yet started antidiabetic therapy), who gave their informed verbal consent were included in the study. Pregnant women, patients with another condition of secondary dyslipidemia and patients with hyperglycemic emergency were not included. A 12 hours fasting triglyceridemia was performed within 48 hours following the first consultation and prior to antidiabetic therapy’s initiation; it has been performed in the CHUYO’s laboratory, using an Architect Ci 4000® automated system. The reagents and controls were the lipid assays provided by the manufacturer (Abbott, USA). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined for triglyceridemia > 1.7 mmol/L (1.5 g/L). Hypertriglyceridemia was minor if < 4.52 mmol/L (4 g/L), moderate if > 4.52 mmol/L (4 g/L) and < 11.30 mmol/L (10 g/L) and severe if > 11.30 mmol/L (10 g/L) [5]. De Gennes classification of dyslipidemia has been used to characterize the phenotype of hypertrigleridemia. Type 2 diabetes was defined according to World Health Organization criteria of diabetes mellitus (two Fasting plasma glucose measurements ≥ 7 mmol/L or a random plasma glucose ≥ 11 mmol/L associated with classic diabetes symptoms), an absence of significant ketonuria, and an absence of arguments for secondary diabetes. Data were analyzed with Epi info version 7.1.5.0. Proportions and means were compared respectively with the Khi2 test or the Fisher’s test for qualitative data and the Student’s test for quantitative data with a significance of p < 5%.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, the typology and the factors associated with hypertriglyceridemia in a cohort of newly type 2 diabetes patients in Ouagadougou. Hypertriglyceridemia was reported in one third patients; it was commonly a part of a mixed dyslipidemia and was associated with severe hyperglycemia and renal failure.

Hypertriglyceridemia was reported in 31.1% patients. Compared to other studies in newly diabetes patients, this prevalence is similar to 30.0% reported by Daniel in a native population in Australia [6]. However, it differs from findings of Tian in China, i.e. 69.2% [7]. The difference could result from genetic, ethnic and environment influences, suggesting why the classic low frequency of hypertriglyceridemia generally reported in black populations [8] [9].

Hypertriglyceridemia was minor in most cases (81.3%); this corroborates data reporting the usual moderate increase of hypertriglyceridemia in type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, as in our study, severe hypertriglyceridemia is possible.

According to De Gennes classification of dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia was generally a part of a mixed dyslipidemia (78.1%). This evidence confers a type IIb or a type III dyslipidemia’s phenotype in reference to Fredricksons classification [10] [11] and illustrates the need to be interested in most type 2 diabetes patients suffering from hypertriglyceridemia.

Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with severe hyperglycemia. Qie also in China found such a relation with severe diabetes imbalance [12]. Normally, insulin, by activating lipoprotein lipase (LPL), increases the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins catabolism. Then, an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin in diabetes imbalance explains a proportional accumulation of triglycerides [13] [14]. A similar significant association has been observed with moderate renal failure; this could be explained also by a decrease in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins catabolism, consecutive to the inhibition of LPL by uric acid metabolites [15].

About the methodological procedures, the study had limitations and biases which must be taken into account when interpreting our results. Thus, the small number of the study’s population reduces the statistical power of the results. Moreover, failure to perform a triglyceridemia control check-up (because of financial limitations) as recommended in dyslipidemia screening could influence the sensitivity of triglyceridemia results provided by the laboratory.

Hypertriglyceridemia is not a rare dyslipidemia in newly type 2 diabetes patients in Ouagadougou. Its usual combination with other atherogenous lipids disorders could increase its cardiovascular deleterious impact and need an optimal care. Furtherer longitudinal survey has however to be performed to estimate the trends of triglyceridemia in relation to diabetes therapy and its balance.

The authors do not declare any conflict of interest in relation to the article.

Guira, O., Bognounou, R., Zoungrana, L., Tonde, A., Nagalo, A., Traore, R. and Drabo, J.Y. (2020) Spectrum of Hypertriglyceridemia at the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes in Ouagadougou. Open Journal of Internal Medicine, 10, 83-89. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojim.2020.101008