Plasma Lipoproteeins in Adult Diabetes

SUMMARY The prevalence of hyperlipoproteinaemia was investigated in three groups of diabetics. Of 106 untreated diabetics. Of 106 untreated diabetics 68% had some form of hyperlipoproteinaemia. When the plasma of fifty‐six of these patients was re‐examined after their hyperglycaemia was controlled, then only 22% had an abnormal lipoprotein pattern. A further group of 102 diabetics who had been receiving treatment for between 1 and 34 years and whose hyperglycaemia appeared to be well controlled were also studied and the prevalence of abnormal lipoprotein patterns in this group was 58%. There was no correlation between the age of the patient and the prevalence of hyperlipoproteinaemia but all those studied were over 30 years of age. There was no evidence that any of the forms of treatment used, diet alone, diet with sulphonylureas, diet with phenformin, or diet and insulin was more successful than any of the others either in reducing the overall prevalence of hyperlipopro‐teinaemia or in treating any particular type of hyperlipoproteinaemia.