Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory
10:03

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory

Published on: February 28, 2013

Meta-analysis: glycosylated hemoglobin and cardiovascular disease in diabetes mellitus

Elizabeth Selvin1, Spyridon Marinopoulos, Gail Berkenblit

  • 1Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Annals of Internal Medicine
|September 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels in diabetic patients are linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk. This meta-analysis of observational studies suggests chronic hyperglycemia contributes to macrovascular complications in diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Chronic hyperglycemia, indicated by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), is a known risk factor for microvascular complications in diabetes.
  • The association between HbA1c levels and macrovascular disease in diabetic individuals remains less clear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform a meta-analysis of observational studies investigating the link between glycosylated hemoglobin and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic search of the MEDLINE database was conducted using relevant Medical Subject Headings and keywords.
  • Inclusion criteria focused on prospective cohort studies reporting on glycosylated hemoglobin levels and incident CVD.
  • Relative risk estimates were extracted from eligible studies for pooled analysis.

Main Results:

  • The meta-analysis included 3 studies of type 1 diabetes (n=1688) and 10 studies of type 2 diabetes (n=7435).
  • A 1-percentage point increase in HbA1c was associated with a 1.18-fold increased risk of CVD in type 2 diabetes (95% CI, 1.10-1.26).
  • Similar trends were observed in type 1 diabetes, though with wider confidence intervals (pooled RR, 1.15; CI, 0.92-1.43).

Conclusions:

  • Observational data suggest a consistent association between chronic hyperglycemia and elevated CVD risk in diabetic populations.
  • Limitations include potential residual confounding, publication bias, small study numbers, and heterogeneity.
  • Further confirmation from large clinical trials is warranted.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Modeling and Evaluation of Murine Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Model06:22

Modeling and Evaluation of Murine Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Model

Published on: November 29, 2024

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes07:22

Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes

Published on: March 7, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis01:25

Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...
Hypoglycemia01:26

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...