High-normal fasting blood glucose in non-diabetic range is associated with increased coronary artery calcium burden in asymptomatic men

Khurram Nasir, Raul D. Santos, Kashif Tufail, Juan Rivera, Jose A.M. Carvalho, Romeu Meneghello, Thomas D. Brady, Roger S. Blumenthal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: : The objective of the study is to evaluate whether high fasting blood glucose (FBG) in the non-diabetic range (<126 mg/dl) is associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis as determined by coronary artery calcium (CAC) independent of clustering of metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors. Methods & results: : Previously non-diabetic, 458 asymptomatic non-diabetic Brazilian men (mean age: 46 ± 7 years, range: 29-65) underwent clinical consultation including FBG measurements and electron-beam tomography (EBT). The mean FBG of the study population was 88 ± 10 mg/dl. Overall, 190 (42%) of men had CAC > 0. The prevalence of CAC was significantly higher among men with high-normal FBG (4th quartile: 94-125 mg/dl) versus normal FBG group (lower three quartiles: 66-93 mg/dl) (62% versus 35%, p < 0.0001). In age adjusted analyses the odds ratio (OR) for any CAC among men with high-normal FBG versus normal FBG was 2.19 (95% CI: 1.33-3.58). On further adjustment for risk factors the relationship was slightly attenuated, however remained statistically significant (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.05-3.00, p = 0.03). In sub-stratified analyses high-normal FBG was associated with CAC among men without MS (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.04-3.78) and with MS (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 0.95-4.80). Similar relations with high-normal FBG were observed among individuals classified low risk (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.14-4.83) as well intermediate high-risk men (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.99-3.86) by Framingham risk score (FRS), respectively. Conclusions: : Fasting blood glucose in the upper normal range appears to be associated with the presence of CAC in apparently non-diabetic Brazilian men.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e155-e160
JournalAtherosclerosis
Volume195
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2007

Keywords

  • Coronary artery calcification
  • Electron-beam tomography
  • Fasting blood glucose
  • Subclinical atherosclerosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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