Published in PLOS One on 2026-08-05, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Nura Hamidu Alkali, Andrew Enemako Uloko, Godwin O Osaigbovo, Adamu Girei Bakari, Mohammed Raji Bello, Maria Ahuoiza Garba, Garba Musa Fika, Abubakar Sahabi Muhammad, Muhammad Arabi Saad, Vandi Ghyi Zira, Umar Faruk Abdullahi, Ayuba Mugana, Ijuptil Chiroma, Ibrahim Abdullahi Haladu, Lumsami Shadrach, Usman Adamu Nuhu, Godiya Ishaya Dare
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0346350
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Dyslipidemia is prevalent among Nigerians with diabetes mellitus (DM), but its treatment has not been well-studied. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, treatment rates and control of dyslipidemia among DM patients in northern Nigeria.
We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study of dyslipidemia in DM patients, and noted cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, lipid-lowering treatments, body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1c, lipid profile, glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria. Outcome measures were the rate and treatment of dyslipidemia and attainment of low density lipoprotein cholesterol target for primary prevention of CVD. Binomial logistic regression was used to analyze associations between participant characteristics and dyslipidemia. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate the model fit. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS version 25 program.
The study enrolled 403 participants (58.8% females), of whom 59.6% had dyslipidemia. Besides DM and dyslipidemia, other risk factors for CVD were hypertension (56.8%), obesity (52.6%), chronic kidney disease (36.5%), atrial fibrillation (7.9%), heart failure (5.0%), cigarette smoking (4.7%), excess alcohol use (2.0%), and previous CVD (14.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed dyslipidemia was significantly associated with female gender (odds ratio = 1.68, P = 0.029) and proteinuria (odds ratio = 2.26, P = 0.004). Among those with dyslipidemia, 51.3% took lipid-lowering treatments comprising statins (50.8%) and clofibrate (2.9%). None took other lipid-lowering treatments, and only 17.1% attained the target for primary prevention of CVD.
Three-fifths of patients had dyslipidemia, but only a sixth attained the treatment target. Treatment for dyslipidemia included statins and fibrates, but not niacin, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, icosapent ethyl, inclisiran or PCSK9 inhibitors recommended for those who failed intensive statin therapy. There is the need for better access to non-statin treatment and physician adherence to clinical practice guidelines.
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease and a major cause of death and disability worldwide [1]. Up to 6.1% of the global adult population had DM in 2021, which was expected to rise to 10% or more in developing countries by 2050 [2]. DM prevalence in children is also rising worldwide. The Global Burden of Disease study has found that the prevalence of childhood DM rose by 39.4% between 1990 and 2019, with the highest rise seen in low-income countries [3].
DM is associated with high risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), heart failure and pulmonary thrombo-embolism (PTE) [1]. Indeed, DM contributed 20% to the population attributable risk of stroke in Nigeria, while a UK study found CVD events and mortality were two to three-fold higher among DM patients than the general population [4,5]. In other studies, DM patients with no history of CVD had a similar risk of myocardial infarction as non-DM subjects with a history of CVD, suggesting that CVD risk due to DM is equivalent to a previous CVD [6]. The high CVD risks associated with DM result from premature atherosclerosis complicating the chronic effects of hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and other metabolic derangements [7]. For instance, in the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) study, DM patients with dyslipidemia had 1.3 and 1.5 times additional risks of stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to those with DM alone [8]. Other effects of dyslipidemia in people with DM are retinopathy, macular edema, erectile dysfunction, diabetic foot syndrome and fetal anomalies during pregnancy [9–11].
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider research & evidence desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Nura Hamidu Alkali, Andrew Enemako Uloko, Godwin O Osaigbovo, Adamu Girei Bakari, Mohammed Raji Bello, Maria Ahuoiza Garba, Garba Musa Fika, Abubakar Sahabi Muhammad, Muhammad Arabi Saad, Vandi Ghyi Zira, Umar Faruk Abdullahi, Ayuba Mugana, Ijuptil Chiroma, Ibrahim Abdullahi Haladu, Lumsami Shadrach, Usman Adamu Nuhu, Godiya Ishaya Dare. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
Explore connected evidence
- Evidence brief: The prevalence, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Twelve African Countries (2014–2019): An analysis of the World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance
- Evidence brief: The burden of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in Africa: A systematic review
- Evidence brief: Addressing risk factors for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: A case study of a quality improvement program in two states in Nigeria
