Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas 2013, the prevalence of diabetes in Myanmar is 5.7%.(1) Diabetes is recognized as a risk equivalent for coronary heart disease. The lipid profile in patients with type 2 DM is characterized by elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and raised small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) particles. This is believed to be a key factor in promoting atherosclerosis in these patients. There is ample evidence that aggressive statin therapy reduces cardiovascular end points in patients with DM in both primary and secondary prevention studies. In all persons with DM, current treatment guidelines recommend reduction of LDLC to less than 100 mg/dL, regardless of baseline lipid levels. In very high risk patients with DM and coronary heart disease lowering of LDL-C to less than 70 mg/dL may provide even greater benefits. Treatment for hypertriglyceridaemia is recommended only if TG levels is very high (>500 mg/dL).
Myanmar ; Practice Guideline

There has been significant magnitude of problems of diabetes in Myanmar, according to the estimates of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the recent National Survey on the prevalence of diabetes. There has been a wide gap of equity between the urban and rural healthcare delivery for diabetes. Myanmar Diabetes Care Model (MMDCM) aims to deliver equitable diabetes care throughout the country, to stem the tide of rising burden of diabetes and also to facilitate to achieve the targets of the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013-2020). It is aimed to deliver standard of care for diabetes through the health system strengthening at all level. MMDCM was developed based on the available health system, resources and the country's need. Implementation for the model was also discussed.