Characteristics of atheromatosis in the prediabetes stage: a cross-sectional investigation of the ILERVAS project

Changes in fasting plasma glucose and subclinical atherosclerosis: A cohort study from VIPVIZA trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Studies on the influence of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) on the development of carotid plaque (CP) and intima media thickness (CIMT) mainly focused on single FPG measures. We investigated whether changes in FPG (ΔFPG) are associated with incident CP and CIMT change (ΔCIMT) over time.

METHODS

Analyses were based on information from 1896 participants from the VIPVIZA trial (Visualization of asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease for optimum cardiovascular prevention), with baseline and 3-year follow-up data on FPG, ultrasonographic CP (none or ≥1 lesion/s) and CIMT assessments. We studied the association between baseline FPG (prior to intervention) or 3-year ΔFPG (mmol/L) and incident CP (logistic regression) or ΔCIMT (linear regression). Analyses were adjusted for multiple potential confounders.

RESULTS

1896 and 873 individuals, respectively, were included in the analysis on incident CP and ΔCIMT. Participants were 60 years old at baseline and 61% and 54% were females, in the CP and CIMT analyses, respectively. Every mmol/L increase in FPG was associated with an increased odds of incident CP (odds ratio: 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17, 1.73), but there was no association with ΔCIMT (mean difference: 0.002 mm, 95% CI: -0.003, 0.008) after 3 years. Baseline FPG was not associated with incident CP nor ΔCIMT progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In middle-aged individuals with low to moderate risk for cardiovascular diseases, 3-year ΔFPG was positively associated with the risk of incident CP, but not with ΔCIMT. Single measures of FPG may not be sufficient in estimating cardiovascular risk among individuals with low to moderate risk.

Non-linear association of triglyceride-glucose index with prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes: a cross-sectional study

Background

The Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been acknowledged as a convenient, cost-effective, and relatively simple marker for insulin resistance (IR). Meanwhile, prediabetes, described as an asymptomatic, moderately hyperglycemic state, tends to be more prevalent than diabetes. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore the relationship between the TyG index and the prevalence of both prediabetes and diabetes within the U.S. population.

Methods

This study utilized a cross-sectional dataset derived from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) spanning 1999 to 2018. The subjects were individuals aged 18 years and above, who had available fasting glucose and fasting triglyceride information, permitting a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes. The TyG index was computed using laboratory data, and participants were subsequently categorized into quartiles based on this information. The relationship between the TyG index and the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was investigated using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Out of the 25,159 participants, 23.88% were found to have prediabetes, while 16.22% were diagnosed with diabetes. After adjusting for confounding factors, a linear increase in relative odds was observed in Q2 (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.52, 1.89), Q3 (OR: 2.57; 95% CI: 2.30, 2.88), and Q4 (OR: 4.88; 95% CI: 4.33, 5.49) groups in comparison to the reference group, Q1. In addition, a non-linear relationship was observed between the TyG index and the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes. Specifically, patients with a TyG index greater than 8.00 overall exhibited a significantly higher risk of prediabetes and diabetes, confirming that an increase in the TyG index is associated with a corresponding increase in risk. However, this shift showed gender-specific variations; the threshold was observed at 8.00 in males but shifted to 9.00 in females.

Conclusion

The TyG index demonstrated a non-linear positive correlation with both prediabetes and diabetes. This suggests that maintaining the TyG index at a certain, reduced level could potentially aid in preventing the onset of prediabetes and diabetes.

Low adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with increased prevalence and number of atherosclerotic plaques in the ILERVAS cohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Current research on the association between dietary patterns and subclinical atherosclerotic disease (SAD) is still limited, and published results are inconsistent and often consist of small population sizes. We aimed to evaluate the association between the Mediterranean diet (MDiet) and SAD in a large cohort of Mediterranean individuals.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that included 8116 subjects from the ILERVAS cohort. The presence of atherosclerotic plaques (AP) was assessed by ultrasound examination. Adherence to the MDiet was assessed using the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS). Inclusion criteria were subjects with at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Exclusion criteria were a clinical history of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a prior cardiovascular event. Bivariable and multivariable models were performed.

RESULTS

Compared with subjects without SAD, participants with SAD were older and had a higher frequency of smoking habit, hypertension, dyslipidemia, HbA1c and waist circumference. The adjusted multivariable analysis showed that a higher MEDAS was associated with a lower risk of AP (incidence rate ratios [IRR] 0.97, 95% CI [0.96-0.98]; p<0.001). Furthermore, moderate or high adherence to the MDiet was associated with a lower number of AP compared with a low MDiet adherence (IRR 0.90, 95% CI [0.87-0.94]; p<0.001). In both models, female sex was associated with a lower risk of AP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings point to a potentially protective role of MDiet for SAD in a Mediterranean population with low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk. Further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between both variables.

Islet function changes of post-glucose-challenge relate closely to 15 years mortality of elderly men with a history of hyperglycemia

Aims

We aimed to investigate the relationship between islet function changes during a glucose challenge and 15-year mortality in elderly men.

Methods

Elderly men who did the oral glucose tolerance test in 2005 owing to an abnormal glucose history without diabetes were included. Changes in insulin resistance and secretion were evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of fast, post-load, and ratios. Comparisons between the dead and the survival groups were analyzed using the Student's t-test (continuous variables) or χ2 test (Categorical variables). Single-factor logistic regression was used to identify the possible affecting factors. Multifactorial logistic regression was used to identify the independent risk factors in total population and in the subgroups. ROC curve was used to assess the predictive ability of risk factor and to determine the cut-off value.

Results

Of the 220 elderly men, 67 died according to 15-year retrospection. Age (OR = 1.243, P = 0.000), diastolic pressure (OR = 0.958, P = 0.027), and HOMA-IR (2 h/0 h) (OR = 1.040, P = 0.010) were independent risk factors for 15-year mortality. Subgroup analysis showed that HOMA-IR (2 h/0 h) was an obvious risk factor, especially for normal glucose tolerance (OR = 1.060, P = 0.030), age 60-70 years (OR = 1.068, P = 0.005), and hypertension (OR = 1.048, P = 0.013); HOMA-β (2 h/0 h) showed some protective effects in the impaired glucose regulation subgroup (OR = 0.779, P = 0.057). HOMA-IR (2 h/0 h) cut-off value was 15.

Conclusions

HOMA-IR (2 h/0 h) higher than 15 was an independent risk factor for 15-year mortality in elderly men with hyperglycemia history.

Prevalence of prediabetes and association with cardiometabolic and renal factors. SIMETAP-PRED study

INTRODUCTION

Prediabetes is a major public health problem. The aims of the SIMETAP-PRED study were to determine the prevalence rates of prediabetes according to two diagnostic criteria, and to compare the association of cardiometabolic and renal risk factors between populations with and without prediabetes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional observational study conducted in Primary Care. Based random sample: 6,588 study subjects (response rate: 66%). Two diagnostic criteria for prediabetes were used: 1) prediabetes according to the Spanish Diabetes Society (PRED-SDS): Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 110-125mg/dL or HbA1c 6.0% -6.4%; 2) prediabetes according to the American Diabetes Association (PRED-ADA): FPG 100-125mg/dL or HbA1c 5.7%-6.4%. The crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates, and cardiometabolic and renal variables associated with prediabetes were assessed.

RESULTS

The crude prevalence rates of PRED-SDS and PRED-ADA were 7.9% (95% CI 7.3-8.6%), and 22.0% (95% CI 21.0-23.0%) respectively, their age-adjusted prevalence rates were 6.6% and 19.1 respectively. The high or very high cardiovascular risk of the PRED-SDS or PRED-ADA populations were 68.6% (95%CI 64.5-72.6%) and 61.7% (95%CI 59.1-64.1%) respectively. Hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, overweight, obesity, and increased waist-to-height ratio were independently associated with PRED-SDS. In addition to these factors, low glomerular filtration rate and hypercholesterolemia were also independently associated with PRED-ADA.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PRED-ADA triples that of PRED-SDS. Two thirds of the population with prediabetes had a high cardiovascular risk. Several cardiometabolic and renal risk factors were associated with prediabetes. Compared to the SDS criteria, the ADA criteria make the diagnosis of prediabetes easier.

Association of atherosclerotic plaque and prediabetes. Observational study with propensity score matching

INTRODUCTION

Subjects with prediabetes, defined as impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG), have an increased cardiovascular risk. The main objective of the study is to establish whether prediabetes is associated with the presence of subclinical atherosclerotic plaque (pATS) regardless of age, sex, arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factores.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Observational study with propensity score matching (PSM). We included 481 subjects with prediabetes (according to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association) and 481 controls matched for age, sex, and hypertension. Subjects with coronary artery disease and/or peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes were excluded. pATS was defined as the presence of plaque detected by carotid doppler ultrasound.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pATS was 34.7% in prediabetic subjects compared to 28.8% in controls. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) after controlling for age, sex, hypertension, and HDL-c was 1.29 (95% CI: 1.12-1.48; P<.001). The prevalence of pATS was 42.3% in hypertensive prediabetic subjects compared to 32.9% in controls (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.05-2.12; P: .02). We also observed higher pATS (18.7%) in younger subjects (≤55 years) compared to controls (11.1%) of the same age (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.05-3.2; P: .03).

CONCLUSION

Subjects with prediabetes were associated with a higher prevalence of pATS. The possibility (odds) of presenting subclinical atherosclerosis was 29% higher in subjects with prediabetes after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension and HDL-c.

Prediabetes Is Associated with Increased Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Type 2 diabetes leads to severe nocturnal hypoxemia, with an increase in apnea events and daytime sleepiness. Hence, we assessed sleep breathing parameters in the prediabetes stage. A cross-sectional study conducted on 966 middle-aged subjects without known pulmonary disease (311 patients with prediabetes and 655 controls with normal glucose metabolism) was conducted. Prediabetes was defined by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and a nonattended overnight home sleep study was performed. Participants with prediabetes (n = 311) displayed a higher apnea−hypopnea index (AHI: 12.7 (6.1;24.3) vs. 9.5 (4.2;19.6) events/h, p < 0.001) and hypopnea index (HI: 8.4 (4.0;14.9) vs. 6.0 (2.7;12.6) events/h, p < 0.001) than controls, without differences in the apnea index. Altogether, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea was higher in subjects with prediabetes than in controls (78.1 vs. 69.9%, p = 0.007). Additionally, subjects with prediabetes presented impaired measurements of the median and minimum nocturnal oxygen saturation, the percentage of time spent with oxygen saturations below 90%, and the 4% oxygen desaturation index in comparison with individuals without prediabetes (p < 0.001 for all). After adjusting for age, sex, and the presence of obesity, HbA1c correlated with the HI in the entire population (r = 0.141, p < 0.001), and the presence of prediabetes was independently associated with the AHI (B = 2.20 (0.10 to 4.31), p = 0.040) as well as the HI (B = 1.87 (0.61 to 3.14), p = 0.004) in the multiple linear regression model. We conclude that prediabetes is an independent risk factor for an increased AHI after adjusting for age, sex, and obesity. The enhanced AHI is mainly associated with increments in the hypopnea events.

Unbiased plasma proteomics discovery of biomarkers for improved detection of subclinical atherosclerosis

Background

Imaging of subclinical atherosclerosis improves cardiovascular risk prediction on top of traditional risk factors. However, cardiovascular imaging is not universally available. This work aims to identify circulating proteins that could predict subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods

Hypothesis-free proteomics was used to analyze plasma from 444 subjects from PESA cohort study (222 with extensive atherosclerosis on imaging, and 222 matched controls) at two timepoints (three years apart) for discovery, and from 350 subjects from AWHS cohort study (175 subjects with extensive atherosclerosis on imaging and 175 matched controls) for external validation. A selected three-protein panel was further validated by immunoturbidimetry in the AWHS population and in 2999 subjects from ILERVAS cohort study.

Findings

PIGR, IGHA2, APOA, HPT and HEP2 were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis independently from traditional risk factors at both timepoints in the discovery and validation cohorts. Multivariate analysis rendered a potential three-protein biomarker panel, including IGHA2, APOA and HPT. Immunoturbidimetry confirmed the independent associations of these three proteins with subclinical atherosclerosis in AWHS and ILERVAS. A machine-learning model with these three proteins was able to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in ILERVAS (AUC [95%CI]:0.73 [0.70–0.74], p < 1 × 10⁻⁹⁹), and also in the subpopulation of individuals with low cardiovascular risk according to FHS 10-year score (0.71 [0.69–0.73], p < 1 × 10⁻⁶⁹).

Interpretation

Plasma levels of IGHA2, APOA and HPT are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis independently of traditional risk factors and offers potential to predict this disease. The panel could improve primary prevention strategies in areas where imaging is not available.

Phenotyping the Prediabetic Population-A Closer Look at Intermediate Glucose Status and Cardiovascular Disease

Even though the new thresholds for defining prediabetes have been around for more than ten years, there is still controversy surrounding the precise characterization of this intermediate glucose metabolism status. The risk of developing diabetes and macro and microvascular disease linked to prediabetes is well known. Still, the prediabetic population is far from being homogenous, and phenotyping it into less heterogeneous groups might prove useful for long-term risk assessment, follow-up, and primary prevention. Unfortunately, the current definition of prediabetes is quite rigid and disregards the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and their potential metabolic progression towards overt disease. In addition, prediabetes is commonly associated with a cluster of risk factors that worsen the prognosis. These risk factors all revolve around a common denominator: inflammation. This review focuses on identifying the population that needs to be screened for prediabetes and the already declared prediabetic patients who are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and require closer monitoring.

Clinical Usefulness of Anthropometric Indices to Predict the Presence of Prediabetes. Data from the ILERVAS Cohort

Prediabetes is closely related to excess body weight and adipose distribution. For this reason, we aimed to assess and compare the diagnostic usefulness of ten anthropometric adiposity indices to predict prediabetes. Cross-sectional study with 8188 overweight subjects free of type 2 diabetes from the ILERVAS project (NCT03228459). Prediabetes was diagnosed by levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Total body adiposity indices [BMI, Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE) and Deurenberg's formula] and abdominal adiposity (waist and neck circumferences, conicity index, waist to height ratio, Bonora's equation, A body shape index, and body roundness index) were calculated. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the best cutoff and the prevalence of prediabetes around this value were calculated for every anthropometric index. All anthropometric indices other than the A body adiposity were higher in men and women with prediabetes compared with controls (p < 0.001 for all). In addition, a slightly positive correlation was found between indices and HbA1c in both sexes (r ≤ 0.182 and p ≤ 0.026 for all). None of the measures achieved acceptable levels of discrimination in ROC analysis (area under the ROC ≤ 0.63 for all). Assessing BMI, the prevalence of prediabetes among men increased from 20.4% to 36.2% around the cutoff of 28.2 kg/m², with similar data among women (from 29.3 to 44.8% with a cutoff of 28.6 kg/m²). No lonely obesity index appears to be the perfect biomarker to use in clinical practice to detect individuals with prediabetes.

The association of subclinical atherosclerosis with prediabetes is stronger in people with dyslipidaemia than in those with normoglycaemia: A cross-sectional study in Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

Prediabetes is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and often occurs with dyslipidaemia. The present study investigated the association between subclinical atherosclerosis profiles and prediabetes with and without dyslipidaemia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis included 4786 participants (1441 subjects with prediabetes and 3345 healthy controls). Prediabetes was defined by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 5.6-6.9mmol/L or HbA1c 5.7-6.4% without antidiabetic drugs. Different markers of subclinical atherosclerosis were analysed: the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), carotid plaques (CP), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

RESULTS

Subclinical atherosclerosis was significantly more prevalent in prediabetic subjects than in normoglycaemic subjects (P<0.001). Only individuals with prediabetes in the dyslipidaemic group had significantly elevated adjusted odds ratios for subclinical atherosclerosis profiles. When stratified by FPG-only, HbA1c-only or both, the three subcategories in combination with dyslipidaemia shared a similarly increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis compared to normoglycaemia without dyslipidaemia (P<0.05). The risk profile increased directionally from FPG-only to HbA1c-only to both overall.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that subclinical atherosclerotic changes in the prediabetic state are mainly seen in dyslipidaemic subjects. Thus, strategies to prevent atherogenic changes might focus on persons with prediabetes combined with dyslipidaemia, especially for the prediabetes-both subcategory, because of potential effects on CVD risk.

Prediabetes Is Independently Associated with Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis: An Observational Study in a Non-Urban Mediterranean Population

This was a prospective, observational study to compare the burden of subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by carotid ultrasonography in a cohort of subjects with prediabetes vs. subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) from a non-urban Mediterranean population. Atherosclerosis was assessed through carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT), the presence/absence of carotid plaques, and plaque number. Among 550 subjects included, 224 (40.7%) had prediabetes. The mean c-IMT and the prevalence of carotid plaque were significantly higher in the prediabetes group compared to the NGT group (0.72 vs. 0.67 mm, p < 0.001; and 37.9% vs. 19.6%; p < 0.001, respectively). Older age, male gender, and increased systolic blood pressure were positively correlated with c-IMT and were independent predictors of the presence of plaques. In contrast, prediabetes and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-c were predictors of the presence of plaque (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-2.57; p = 0.03 and OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00-1.02; p = 0.006, respectively) together with tobacco exposure and the leukocyte count (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.08-2.89; p = 0.023 and OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.05-1.38; p = 0.008, respectively). In a non-urban Mediterranean population, prediabetes was associated with established subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. These findings could have implications for the prevention and treatment of CV risk in these subjects before the first symptoms of cardiovascular disease appear.

Change in glucose intolerance status and risk of incident cardiovascular disease: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Background

To assess the impact of changes in different glucose tolerance states on risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD)/coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

A total of 4094 Iranians (43.9% men) aged ≥ 30 years, without diabetes and CVD at enrolment were included. The following categories were defined both at baseline visit and 3 years later (second visit): normal fasting glucose (NFG), normal glucose tolerance (NGT), NFG and NGT (NFG/NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and IFG and/or IGT (IFG/IGT). Changes in the categories, i.e. regression to normoglycemia, remaining in previous status and progression to diabetes were assessed. We used Cox’s proportional hazard models adjusted for traditional risk factors and their changes, to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of different changing categories for incident CVD/CHD.

Results

During a median follow-up of 12.42 years, 428 subjects (men = 265) experienced CVD. Considering persistent NFG/NGT as reference, participants who shifted from NFG/NGT to IFG/IGT showed a lower hazard of CVD in the fully adjusted model, HR 0.72 [95% CI 0.52–0.996, P = 0.048]. Moreover, subjects who shifted from IFG, IGT and IFG/IGT to diabetes had an increased risk of CVD/CHD. The risk however, was only statistically significant for those with IFG/IGT, 1.61 [(1.03–2.51), P = 0.04] for CVD and 1.75 [(1.10–2.78), P = 0.02] for CHD; considering IFG/IGT at both visits as reference. Furthermore, those who regressed from IFG/IGT to normoglycemia were at the same risk as those remained in IFG/IGT state, 1.12 [(0.79–1.60), P = 0.52] for CVD and 1.04 [(0.70–1.53), P = 0.85] for CHD. Among a subgroup of population with insulin data (n = 803) those with insulin resistance (IR) that converted to diabetes showed a higher risk for CVD, 3.68 [(1.49–9.06), P = 0.01] and CHD, 2.76 [(1.00–7.60), P = 0.05] events in the fully adjusted model.

Conclusions

Among participants with IFG, IGT or IFG/IGT at baseline, only those who developed diabetes had a higher risk of developing CVD/CHD. Persistent IFG/IGT was not associated with higher risk, compared with those reverted to normoglycemia. Moreover, subjects who converted from NFG/NGT to incident IFG/IGT showed a signal for lower risk of CVD/CHD.