Impact of fasting glucose on electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in an elderly general population

To evaluate relationships between fasting plasma glucose (FPG), other cardiovascular risk markers and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) as detected by electrocardiography.

Subjects were selected randomly from groups defined by FPG. Traditional risk markers were assessed. LVH was defined by either Cornell voltage-duration product (CP) or Sokolow-Lyon voltage combination (SL), and univariate and multivariable regressions were performed in search of explanatory factors for the presence of LVH and the values of CP and SL.

Of the 1759 subjects included, 1007 had a history of cardiovascular disease and/or medical treatment, while 752 subjects appeared to be healthy. We found an independent association between FPG and LVH (odds ratio 1.152, p = 0.042] as well as continuous CP (beta = 0.126, p = 0.007) in healthy men. As expected, we found an association between systolic blood pressure and LVH (odds ratio 1.020, p < 0.001) among healthy subjects, but only in subjects with FPG < 6 mmol/l (p = 0.04 for interaction).

We found an independent association between FPG and LVH in healthy men, and no potentiating effect by FPG on the impact of hypertension.