Association of small dense low-density lipoprotein level, low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio with arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: The potential mechanism linking cholesterol and arterial stiffness, including atherosclerosis, changes in the elastic element of the arterial wall, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation can be explained. This study was designed to identify the correlation between small dense LDL (sdLDL) and LDL/HDL ratio with arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional approach from the medical record of T2DM patients. Clinical, laboratory, and brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) data were obtained from the availability of medical records. Results: Out of 32 patients with T2DM, 18 (56.3%) were man, 14 (43.8%) were woman, with the mean age 58.63±7.893 years. The mean of sdLDL levels was 40.58±10,605 mg/dL, and mean baPWV was 15.88 ± 1.88 m/second. There was a weak positive association between sdLDL level (r = 0.397; P = 0.025) and LDL/HDL ratio (r = 0.468; P = 0.007) to baPWV. Conclusion: The sdLDL levels and LDL/HDL ratio were associated with arterial stiffness measured by baPWV in T2DM patients.