Management of hypertriglyceridemia in the diabetic patient

Curr Diab Rep. 2010 Aug;10(4):316-20. doi: 10.1007/s11892-010-0124-4.

Abstract

The hypertriglyceridemia of diabetes can be classified into mild to moderate (triglycerides between 150-499 mg/dL) and severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides > or =500 mg/dL). As in any other individuals with hypertriglyceridemia, secondary causes need to be excluded. The management of severe hypertriglyceridemia (chylomicronemia syndrome) includes aggressive reduction of triglycerides with intravenous insulin, fibrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and/or niacin therapy to avert the risk of pancreatitis. In patients with mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia, the treatment of choice is statin therapy to achieve the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) target goals. The evidence base would favor niacin therapy in combination with statin therapy to achieve the goals pertaining to LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol. The data about the combination of fibrate therapy with statin therapy are disappointing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clofibric Acid / therapeutic use
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / complications*
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / metabolism
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Niacin / therapeutic use*
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Triglycerides
  • Niacin
  • Clofibric Acid