Relation of diabetes to coronary artery ectasia: A meta-analysis study

Previous studies have shown a significant negative association between diabetes and abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, the relation of diabetes to coronary artery ectasia (CAE) has not well established. The aim of the current study was to conduct a systemic review for evaluating the relationship between diabetes and CAE.

A systemic search of electronic databases (PUBMED, EMBASE, OVID, WEB OF SCIENCE, THE COCHRANCE LIBRARY) from 1970 to March 2013 was performed. Additionally, checking reference lists from identified articles, reviews, and the abstracts presented at related scientific meetings were also carried out. All case-control studies investigating appropriate prevalence data were included.

Among 328 articles, 10 case-control studies were finally identified. The prevalence of diabetes in studied patients with CAE was 8% to 33%, while in those without CAE was ranged from 13.5% to 35%. Pooled analysis showed a reduced rate of diabetes amongst patients with CAE compared to those without (OR 0.65, 0.54-0.77, p<0.0001).

Our findings suggested that diabetes might play a protective role for the development of CAE, indicating that further study is needed to evaluate the association diabetes and CAE including underlying mechanisms and future medical interventional strategies.