Abnormal glucose regulation in an Australian acute coronary syndrome population: a prospective study

Sharon Chih1, Brendan M McQuillan, Joey Kaye

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Australia. s.chih@victorchang.edu.au

Insights

Abnormal glucose regulation (AGR) is prevalent in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, often undiagnosed. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) significantly improve AGR detection in this high-risk population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Abnormal glucose regulation (AGR) is a frequent and detrimental risk factor for patients experiencing acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
  • Early identification and management of AGR are crucial for improving outcomes in ACS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of AGR in patients with ACS.
  • To assess the effectiveness of oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in detecting AGR in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective evaluation of 300 ACS patients.
  • Measurements included fasting blood glucose (BGL), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR).
  • Patients without diagnosed diabetes underwent OGTT at least 4 weeks post-discharge.

Main Results:

  • AGR was detected in 60% of patients on admission (32% diabetes, 28% impaired fasting glucose [IFG]).
  • OGTT identified new diabetes in 5%, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in 24%, and IFG in 6% of patients.
  • AGR was detected by OGTT in 25% of patients with normal admission BGL and in 50% of those with admission IFG.

Conclusions:

  • The majority of ACS patients exhibit AGR, with up to half remaining unrecognized.
  • OGTT is a valuable tool for enhancing the detection of AGR in ACS patients.
  • Identifying and managing AGR in ACS patients is essential for risk reduction.
Abstract

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