The impact of drug interactions on biochemical parameters in Libyan patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia

Polypharmacy, defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, is highly prevalent among older adults because of the increasing burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. In these patients, polypharmacy may complicate disease management, mask clinical manifestations, alter biochemical parameters, and reduce medication adherence, ultimately compromising therapeutic outcomes. Drug-related problems, defined as events or circumstances involving drug therapy that interfere with desired health outcomes, are common in this population because of multiple comorbidities and inappropriate prescribing. This study evaluated the effects of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and their coexistence, as well as potential drug-drug interactions, on selected biochemical parameters. Libyan patients were categorized into three groups: Diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and mixed (patients with both conditions). Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the diabetes group than in the hyperlipidemia and mixed groups. Lipid profile parameters were significantly elevated in the hyperlipidemia group compared with the other groups. Liver function tests and serum electrolyte levels remained within normal reference ranges, with no significant differences among the study groups. Within the mixed group, patients receiving insulin plus atorvastatin exhibited a modest but significant increase in total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with those receiving metformin plus atorvastatin. In contrast, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels showed no significant differences. The present findings demonstrate distinct biochemical profiles among patients with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and their coexistence, while suggesting that the evaluated drug combinations exert limited effects on lipid metabolism.