EXPLORING GENDER-BASED VARAITION IN GLYCEMIC CONTROL, METABOLIC SYNDROME BURDEN, AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN AMONG ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic condition associated with significant cardiovascular consequences, demonstrating clear gender-based differences in both clinical features and outcomes. Despite extensive research, has been conducted, important gaps remain in understanding the intersection of glycemic control, metabolic syndrome burden, and cardiovascular risk stratification vary between men and women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 adults with T2DM (68 males, 62 females) who underwent detailed metabolic and cardiovascular profiling. We assessed the glycemic control (HbA1c), lipid profiles, blood pressure, anthropometric measurement, and cardiovascular complications. Advanced risk assessment tools were used including the Diabetes Complications Severity Index (DCSI), metabolic syndrome criteria, and a composite cardiovascular risk score. Gender-specific comparisons were conducted independent using the independent t-tests and chi-square analyses, with Pearson correlations analysis.

Results: The study revealed alarmingly poor glycemic control in the overall groups (mean HbA1c: 9.13% ± 1.83%), with only 27.7% of participants achieving the target <7% and 43.8% showing very poor control (≥9%). No significant in HbA1c was found between the gender (p=0.999). However, females had significantly higher BMI (27.6 vs 26.1 kg/m², p=0.038), LDL cholesterol (107.3 vs 96.0 mg/dL, p=0.028), and waist-to-height ratio (p=0.038). Males had significantly composite cardiovascular risk scores (12.9 vs 9.2, p<0.001). Metabolic syndrome was highly prevalent (72.3%), affecting 69.1% of males and 75.8% of females. Strong correlations were observer between HbA1c and systolic blood pressure (r=0.364, p<0.001), and between the diabetes duration and HbA1c (r=0.247, p<0.01). Overall, (78.5%) of patients had moderate to very high cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions: This study highlights significant gaps in diabetes management, with suboptimal glycemic observer in both genders, alongside significant metabolic disparities. Females showed greater adiposity and more unfavorable lipid profiles, while males had higher overall cardiovascular risk. These findings emphasize the need for gender-sensitive diabetes care that addresses the full spectrum of cardiometabolic risk factors rather than focusing solely on glycemic control.