Investigating lipid and glucose profiles in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Evidence from a cross-sectional study in North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder often accompanied by dyslipidemia, a condition that exacerbates cardiovascular risks. Despite extensive research, the relationship between total cholesterol levels and fasting blood sugar levels remains unclear, particularly in underrepresented populations. This study investigates the correlation between total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels in T2DM patients treated at ODSK Hospital, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using secondary data from the medical records of 65 T2DM patients between April 2022 and July 2024. Total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels were classified according to established clinical guidelines. The Spearman-Rank correlation test assessed the relationship between the variables. Among the patients, 52.3% were female, and 33.8% were aged 65–74 years. Approximately 47.7% had normal cholesterol levels, while 81.5% exhibited fasting blood sugar levels ≥126 mg/dL. Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels (r = -0.129, ρ = 0.307). The findings suggest independent regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism in T2DM patients. These results emphasize the need for individualized management strategies targeting both dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia as separate clinical priorities. Future research should explore larger populations and additional metabolic markers to further elucidate these complex interactions.