Rachel Bedenis1, Anna H Price2, Christine M Robertson2, Jo R Morling2, Brian M Frier3, Mark W J Strachan4, Jackie F Price2. 1. Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K. rbedenis@staffmail.ed.ac.uk. 2. Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K. 3. Department of Diabetes, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K. 4. Metabolic Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a history of severe hypoglycemia was associated with an increased risk of subsequent macrovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and to explore possible mediation of this association by inflammation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cohort of 1,066 adults aged 60-75 years with type 2 diabetes was evaluated prospectively. Baseline history of severe hypoglycemia and plasma levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were recorded. Their association with incident macrovascular events after 4 years was explored. RESULTS: At baseline, 87 participants (8.2%) reported one or more episodes of severe hypoglycemia within the preceding year, and at follow-up 99 participants (9.3%) had suffered a new macrovascular event. Hypoglycemia was associated with increased odds of macrovascular events (odds ratio [OR] 2.11 [95% CI 1.06, 4.21], P = 0.035), including coronary heart events (OR 2.44 [95% CI 1.13, 5.26], P = 0.023), largely due to increased myocardial infarction (OR 4.02 [95% CI 1.54, 10.48], P = 0.004). Hypoglycemia was also associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers, including a general inflammation factor derived using principal-components analysis (P = 0.030, after adjustment for cardiometabolic risk factors). However, the significant association between hypoglycemia and macrovascular events persisted after adjustment for inflammatory markers. CONCLUSIONS: The odds of suffering a macrovascular event were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes who had a history of severe hypoglycemia. There was no evidence that a proinflammatory state had a major role in mediating this association.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a history of severe hypoglycemia was associated with an increased risk of subsequent macrovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and to explore possible mediation of this association by inflammation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cohort of 1,066 adults aged 60-75 years with type 2 diabetes was evaluated prospectively. Baseline history of severe hypoglycemia and plasma levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were recorded. Their association with incident macrovascular events after 4 years was explored. RESULTS: At baseline, 87 participants (8.2%) reported one or more episodes of severe hypoglycemia within the preceding year, and at follow-up 99 participants (9.3%) had suffered a new macrovascular event. Hypoglycemia was associated with increased odds of macrovascular events (odds ratio [OR] 2.11 [95% CI 1.06, 4.21], P = 0.035), including coronary heart events (OR 2.44 [95% CI 1.13, 5.26], P = 0.023), largely due to increased myocardial infarction (OR 4.02 [95% CI 1.54, 10.48], P = 0.004). Hypoglycemia was also associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers, including a general inflammation factor derived using principal-components analysis (P = 0.030, after adjustment for cardiometabolic risk factors). However, the significant association between hypoglycemia and macrovascular events persisted after adjustment for inflammatory markers. CONCLUSIONS: The odds of suffering a macrovascular event were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes who had a history of severe hypoglycemia. There was no evidence that a proinflammatory state had a major role in mediating this association.
Authors: Nino G Joy; Jennifer M Perkins; Maia Mikeladze; Lisa Younk; Donna B Tate; Stephen N Davis Journal: J Diabetes Complications Date: 2016-07-04 Impact factor: 2.852