Evaluation of Lipid Profiles and Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients in the Northwest of Spain: A Population Study

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a prevalent metabolic disease with a strong association with cardiovascular complications. This study evaluated glycemic control and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides) in patients with T2D, based on glycated hemoglobin and fasting glucose levels, through a cross-sectional analysis of 4814 individuals (mean age: 66.2 ± 16.07 years with normal distribution; 51.5% male) from the Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti in Northwest Spain. The aim was to assess the metabolic differences and potential influences of age, sex, and geographic setting. We observed that patients with T2D had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but higher triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared to patients without T2D. A positive correlation was found between age and fasting glucose levels (r = 0.182; p < 0.05), with the highest glucose concentrations occurring in postmenopausal women. No significant differences were observed between rural and urban participants. These findings support the integration of targeted nutritional strategies and education programs in the clinical management of T2D, particularly in older adults.