Prognostic implications of fasting plasma glucose in subjects with echocardiographic abnormalities

To examine whether baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) modifies the prognostic role of left ventricular (LV) mass, geometric pattern, and diastolic function, for prediction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Population-based cohort study comprising of 1047 men and 456 women with preserved ejection fraction, included between 2002 and 2006, who underwent echocardiography based on groups defined by FPG, measured prior to echocardiography. The clinical endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, assessed through national and local registries. Cox proportional-hazards regression with interaction analysis was used to evaluate the risk associated with FPG and LV structure and function.

Median age was 67years, and 31% had impaired fasting glucose, 31% diabetes, 17% LV hypertrophy, and 40% diastolic dysfunction. During a median follow-up duration of 8.3years, 449 composite events occurred. FPG (hazard ratio (HR), 1.09 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.13), P<0.001) and several markers of LV structure and function, including LV mass index (HR, 1.10 (95% CI: 1.06-1.15), P<0.001) and E/é (HR, 1.08 (95% CI 1.05-1.10), P<0.001) were associated with an increased risk of events. In the subgroup of 678 individuals without previous cardiovascular disease, who did not receive cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, or lipid-lowering medication, FPG significantly interacted with the association between concentric LV hypertrophy and event risk (P<0.001), and with the association between diastolic dysfunction and event risk (P=0.02), including grade 2 or 3 dysfunction (P=0.04).

Echocardiographic abnormalities were more strongly associated with an adverse prognosis among subjects with impaired fasting glucose or diabetes.