Cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, are important causes of death among diabetics. Features of diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with atherogenic risk factors are discussed by a cross-sectional study. It was evaluated 432 families attended by Basic Family Health Unities (FHU), registered at Family Health Program (HIPERDIA) at borough Alto da Maravilha in Senhor do Bonfim, Bahia, Brazil. Among eligible patients, 50 (8.4% of the total) were included in diabetic group (DB), and 80

more »

... 9.4% of the total) in the non-diabetic group (NDB). The majority was women (90/ 130) in the age range 48 -77. The diabetic group showed a high prevalence among analyzed variables, such as hypertension (74.0%) and obesity (46.0%). Significant differences were not found among lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations comparing the DB and NDB groups. The correlation analysis showed significant differences among LDL-C-DB and CT-DB (p < 0.0001), LDL-NDB and CT-NDB (p < 0.0001), LDL-NDB and TG-NDB (p = 0.0034), and CT-NDB and TG-NDB (p = 0.0001). Diabetic and healthy individuals do not present significant differences in the lipid profiles. By the way, the diabetic and health individuals can not present significant differences in the lipid profile, however, probably there are differences in the quality of the lipoprotein molecules between DB and NDB and a divergent tendency of the disease progression, such as a higher disposition to atherosclerosis development in DB. These patients with potential risk to development atherosclerosis or aggravation of diabetes must have more attention about Family Health Program.