Outcomes In Nondiabetic Patients Research Articles

Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in relation to the poor functional outcomes in nondiabetic patients with ischemic stroke.

Whether insulin resistance (IR) predicts worse functional outcome in ischemic stroke is still a matter of debate. The aim of the present study is to determine the association between IR and risk of poor outcome in 173 Chinese nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke. This is a prospective, population-based cohort study. Insulin sensitivity, expressed by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin sensitivity (HOMA index = (fasting insulin × fasting glucose)/22.5). IR was defined by HOMA-IR index in the top quartile (Q4). Functional impairment was evaluated at discharge using the modified Rankin scale (mRS). The median (interquartile range) HOMA-IR was 2.14 (1.17–2.83), and Q4 was at least 2.83. There was a significantly positive correlation between HOMA-IR and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (r = 0.408; P<0.001). In multivariate analyses, patients in IR group were associated with a higher risk of poor functional outcome (odds ratio (OR) = 3.23; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.75–5.08; P=0.001). In multivariate models comparing the third and fourth quartiles against the first quartile of the HOMA-IR, levels of HOMA-IR were associated with poor outcome, and the adjusted risk of poor outcome increased by 207% (OR = 3.05 (95% CI 1.70–4.89), P=0.006) and 429% (5.29 (3.05–9.80), P<0.001). In a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis of poor outcome, the area under the curve (AUC) increased from 0.80 to 0.84 (95% CI: 0.79–0.88) by adding HOMA-IR to clinical examination variables (P=0.02). High HOMA-IR index is associated with a poor functional outcome in nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Vitamin D deficiency in relation to the poor functional outcomes in nondiabetic patients with ischemic stroke.

To assess the hypothesis that vitamin D, reflected by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) would be associated with higher risk of poor functional outcomes amongst nondiabetic stroke patients. The present study was conducted in Nanchang, China. Serum concentration of 25(OH) D and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were measured at the time of admission. Functional outcome was measured by modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 1 year after admission. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. The cut point of 25(OH) D level for vitamin D deficiency was 20 ng/ml. In the present study, 266 nondiabetic subjects with stroke were included; 149 out of the 266 patients were defined as vitamin D deficiency (56%). The poor outcome distribution across the 25(OH) D quartiles ranged between 64% (first quartile) and 13% (fourth quartile). In those 149 patients with vitamin D deficiency, 75 patients were defined as poor functional outcomes, giving a prevalence rate of 50% (95% confidence interval (CI): 42–58%). In multivariate analysis models, for vitamin D deficiency, the adjusted risk of poor functional outcomes and mortality increased by 220% (odds ratio (OR): 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7–4.2, P<0.001) and 290% (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 2.1–5.8, P<0.001), respectively. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of poor functional outcome events in Chinese nondiabetic stroke individuals.

The heart matters in diabetes: 10-Year outcomes of peripheral artery disease.

Objectives:Mortality rates at 10 years are higher in diabetic patients with chronic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease than in non-diabetic peripheral arterial disease patients. We tested the hypothesis that the predictors of mortality differ between diabetic and non-diabetic peripheral arterial disease patients.Methods:We studied 331 consecutive patients who were <75 years of age, symptomatic for peripheral arterial disease, and admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Our cohort included 216 patients without diabetes mellitus and 115 with diabetes mellitus. The outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 10 years post-admission.Results:Mortality rates at 10 years were 29% among non-diabetic peripheral arterial disease patients and 58% among diabetic peripheral arterial disease patients. We identified the following independent predictors of death in the 216 peripheral arterial disease patients without diabetes: age ≥65 years (risk ratio: 2.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.28–3.59), ankle brachial index <0.60 mmHg/mmHg (risk ratio: 1.88; 95% confidence interval: 1.14–3.08), history of peripheral arterial disease-specific intervention (risk ratio: 1.81; 95% confidence interval: 1.10–2.97), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥5.0 mg/L (risk ratio: 2.11; 95% confidence interval: 1.28–3.47). For the 115 peripheral arterial disease patients with diabetes, independent predictors of mortality were as follows: age ≥65 years (risk ratio: 1.72; 95% confidence interval: 1.05–2.83) and amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide ≥125 ng/L (risk ratio: 2.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.22–3.60).Conclusion:In this study, the predictors of death at 10 years differed between peripheral arterial disease patients with and without diabetes. Among the biomarkers tested, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was independently associated with outcomes in non-diabetic patients, whereas amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide was an independent predictor of death in patients with diabetes. Our findings suggest that in future studies, risk assessment and treatment strategies should be differentially applied to the two peripheral arterial disease subgroups.

Glycosylated hemoglobin levels and clinical outcomes in nondiabetic patients with coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis.

A number of studies assessed the prognostic value of HbA1c level in nondiabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between the HbA1c level and clinical outcomes.We searched PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library from their inception to 10 April 2016. Studies evaluated the outcomes according to HbA1c levels in CAD patients without diabetes mellitus were eligible.Twenty studies involving 22,428 patients were included. In nondiabetic patients with CAD, a high HbA1c level was associated with a higher rate of long-term death (odds ratio 1.76, 95% confidence interval 1.44-2.16, P < .001), and myocardial infarction (MI, odds ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.07-2.67, P = .026), but not a higher rate of early deaths (odds ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 0.92-1.27, P = .359). These findings for death remained the same after sensitivity analyses and the trim and fill method, but the risk difference for MI became nonsignificant after adjustment for potential publication bias.Elevated HbA1c level increased the risks of long-term mortality and MI, but not the risk for early deaths in nondiabetic patients with CAD. High-quality large-scale studies with less bias are needed to confirm these findings.

Insulin Resistance and Prognosis of Nondiabetic Patients With Ischemic Stroke: The ACROSS-China Study (Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Patients With Acute Stroke Across China).

Insulin resistance was common in patients with stroke. This study investigated the association between insulin resistance and outcomes in nondiabetic patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke. Patients with ischemic stroke without history of diabetes mellitus in the ACROSS-China registry (Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Patients With Acute Stroke Across China) were included. Insulin resistance was defined as a homeostatis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in the top quartile (Q4). HOMA-IR was calculated as fasting insulin (μU/mL)×fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. Multivariable logistic regression or Cox regression was performed to estimate the association between HOMA-IR and 1-year prognosis (mortality, stroke recurrence, poor functional outcome [modified Rankin scale score 3-6], and dependence [modified Rankin scale score 3-5]). Among the 1245 patients with acute ischemic stroke enrolled in this study, the median HOMA-IR was 1.9 (interquartile range, 1.1-3.1). Patients with insulin resistance were associated with a higher mortality risk than those without (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.53; P=0.01), stroke recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.57, 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.19; P=0.008), and poor outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.95; P=0.03) but not dependence after adjustment for potential confounders. Higher HOMA-IR quartile categories were associated with a higher risk of 1-year death, stroke recurrence, and poor outcome (P for trend =0.005, 0.005, and 0.001, respectively). Insulin resistance was associated with an increased risk of death, stroke recurrence, and poor outcome but not dependence in nondiabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Glycosuria and Renal Outcomes in Patients with Nondiabetic Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have shown a potential for renoprotection beyond blood glucose lowering. Glycosuria in nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is sometimes noted. Whether glycosuria in CKD implies a channelopathy or proximal tubulopathy is not known. The consequence of glycosuria in CKD is also not studied. We performed a cross-sectional study for the association between glycosuria and urine electrolyte excretion in 208 nondiabetic patients. Fractional excretion (FE) of glucose >4% was 3.4%, 6.3% and 62.5% in CKD stage 3, 4 and 5, respectively. These patients with glycosuria had higher FE sodium, FE potassium, FE uric acid, UPCR, and urine NGAL-creatinine ratio. We conducted a longitudinal study for the consequence of glycosuria, defined by dipstick, in 769 nondiabetic patients with stage 4–5 CKD. Glycosuria was associated with a decreased risk for end-stage renal disease (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.77; CI = 0.62–0.97; p = 0.024) and for rapid renal function decline (adjusted odds ratio: 0.63; CI = 0.43–0.95; p = 0.032); but glycosuria was not associated with all-cause mortality or cardiovascular events. The results were consistent in the propensity-score matched cohort. Glycosuria is associated with increased fractional excretion of electrolytes and is related to favorable renal outcomes in nondiabetic patients with stage 5 CKD.

Insulin resistance, endothelial function, angiogenic factors and clinical outcome in non-diabetic patients with chest pain without myocardial perfusion defects.

BackgroundPatients with angina-like symptoms without myocardial perfusion scintigram (MPS)-verified abnormality may still be at risk for cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that insulin resistance could play a role in this population even without diagnosed diabetes. We further explored physiological and blood biomarkers, as well as global gene expression patterns that could be closely related to impaired glucose homeostasis to deepen our mechanistic understanding.MethodsA total of 365 non-diabetic patients with suspected myocardial ischemia referred to MPS were enrolled and followed up regarding event-free survival with a median time of 5.1 years. All patients underwent endothelial function assessment by reactive hyperemic index (RHI) using EndoPAT and extensive biomarker analysis. Whole blood global gene expression pathway analysis was performed in a subset of patients.ResultsHomeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) added independent prognostic value in patients without myocardial perfusion defects. In a multivariable analysis, HOMA-IR was inversely associated with low RHI. Furthermore, elevated HOMA-IR was associated with decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor D, stem cell factor and endocan as well as to increased level of interleukin-6. Global gene expression pathway analysis of whole blood cells showed that high HOMA-IR and impaired endothelial function were associated with upregulated pro-inflammatory pathways and down-regulated eukaryotic initiation factor-2 pathway.ConclusionsInsulin resistance measured by HOMA-IR is associated with endothelial dysfunction and confers independent prognostic information in non-diabetic patients with chest pain without myocardial perfusion defects. Increased systemic pro-inflammatory state and decreased levels of pro-angiogenic vascular growth factors may be important underlying molecular mechanisms.

Prognostic significance of glycosylated hemoglobin in nondiabetic patients in acute coronary syndrome

Background: The role of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in predicting the outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains largely controversial. Much lesser is known of its importance in nondiabetics. Herein, we conducted a study to seek the association between the levels of HbA1c and the clinical outcome in nondiabetic patients who presented with ACS. Objective: The objective was to determine the impact of HbA1c levels on the severity and complications of ACS in nondiabetics. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 100 patients without diabetes mellitus who were admitted to the coronary care unit with symptoms suggestive of ACS. The diagnosis of ACS was made on the basis of troponin T value, electrocardiogram (ECG), and echocardiograph. Patients were stratified according to their HbA1c into two groups: Group 1 HbA1c Results: The mean age of patients was 58.67 years out of which 69% were males and 31% females. Of the total, 28% were smokers, 33% were known to be hypertensive, 32% had dyslipidemia, and body mass index was ≥25 kg/m 2 in 9% of the subjects. The findings of this study found that increased levels of HbA1c were in general, associated with poorer outcomes in the nondiabetics. Conclusion: HbA1c is a predictor of major adverse outcomes in ACS in patients even when they are nondiabetics. Measurement of HbA1c levels may improve risk assessment in such patients when presenting with ACS.

Relationship between severity of obstructive sleep apnea and adverse cardiac outcomes in non-diabetic patients presenting with myocardial infarction.

Previous studies that have reported an association between obstructive sleep apnea and adverse cardiac events were confounded by a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. We investigated the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events in non-diabetic patients who presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. A total of 41 patients who underwent overnight sleep screening within 5 days after admission for myocardial infarction from January 2007 to December 2008 were identified. Major adverse cardiac events-defined as a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for angina and congestive heart failure at 5-year follow-up-were determined. The patients were divided into two groups: those who experienced major adverse cardiac events and those who did not. In the overall cohort, the prevalence of obesity was 4.9 %. A total of 13 (31.7 %) patients had major adverse cardiac events. The mean apnea-hypopnea index was 25.4 ± 20.3. The group that experienced major adverse cardiac events had a higher apnea-hypopnea index than the group that did not (36.1 ± 21.0 vs 20.4 ± 18.2; P = 0.016). After adjusting for the resolution of ST-segment elevation and the use of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, logistic regression analysis revealed that the apnea-hypopnea index remained an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio 1.044; 95 % confidence interval 1.003-1.086; P = 0.033). In non-diabetic patients, the severity of obstructive sleep apnea was associated with the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events at 5-year follow-up after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Impact of HbA1c on Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Non-Diabetic Patients

Background : Elevated glucose levels have been previously shown to be associated with adverse outcomes in patients of acute coronary syndrome. However, admission glucose levels are affected by various factors like meals, circadian cycle and also the stress response. HbA1c is a better marker of long- term glucose status. The value of HbA1c as a predictor of prognosis in acute coronary syndrome has not been extensively studied. Objective : To study the relationship between admission HbA1c levels and short-term outcome in non-diabetic patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome. Material and Methods : This open-label, hospital based, cohort study was conducted on 200 patients without previously known diabetes admitted with acute coronary syndrome. A detailed history and clinical examination were carried out. Admission plasma glucose, fasting glucose and HbA1c levels were recorded. Those presenting with fasting plasma glucose of >126 mg% or HbA1c >6.5% were labeled as “Undiagnosed Diabetic Patients”. Outcome was measured mainly by assessing the left ventricular systolic function. Data were analysed using chi square test, student t-test, ANOVA and partial correlation regression, wherever applicable. Results : Mean age of patients was 56.38 years. Average BMI was 25.1±3.5 kg/m2. Mean HbA1c was 6.3±1.5%. 79 (39.5%) patients had HbA1c between 6 and 6.5. There was a linear correlation between ejection fraction and HbA1c (p value =0.019). Conclusion : HbA1c is a strong predictor of left ventricular dysfunction in non-diabetic patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome, therefore, measurement of HbA1c levels may improve risk assessment in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome.

Effect of Blood Pressure Variability on Cardiovascular Outcome in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients with Stroke

The association between blood pressure (BP) variability and stroke outcome is controversial, and there are few studies that have focused on the impact of BP variability in diabetic patients with stroke. Therefore, we aimed to examine the impact of BP variability on cardiovascular outcome in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with stroke. A total of 373 ischemic stroke patients with large artery atherosclerosis were recruited and followed up. Ambulatory BP monitoring was performed in all patients and divided according to the 25th and 75th percentiles interval of SD of daytime systolic BP (SBP). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression were used to assess the relationship between BP variability and cardiovascular outcomes including stroke recurrence, vascular events and cardiovascular death. The 339 patients were included in the final analysis. During an average follow-up of 19.0 ± 5.1 months (.6-26.8 months), 69 (20.4%) cardiovascular events occurred in all patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis found that there were no differences in cardiovascular events-free survival among the different BP variability groups in diabetic patients (P = .995); however, nondiabetic patients with greater BP variability showed a lesser cardiovascular events-free survival (P = .039). Through Cox regression we found the SD of daytime SBP (hazard ratio 1.103; 95% CI 1.011-1.203) was associated with cardiovascular outcomes in nondiabetic patients with stroke. We show that SBP variability is associated with cardiovascular outcomes in stroke patients without diabetes, but we didn't find a correlation between SBP variability and cardiovascular outcomes in stroke patients with diabetes.

Prediabetes and Short-Term Outcomes in Nondiabetic Patients after Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objectives: A prediabetic state is defined as the time period before the development of symptomatic diabetes. Limited evidence is available for evaluating the correlation between prediabetes and short-term outcomes in nondiabetic patients with ST-elevation of myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: 4,787 nondiabetic patients with a diagnosis of STEMI based on typical onset of chest pain within 12 h were enrolled. Patients were followed up for 7 and 30 days after hospital admission. According to the 2013 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, the study population was stratified into three groups: normal, prediabetic and newly diagnosed diabetic patients. The primary outcomes of our study were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) on days 7 day and 30. Results: The proportions of patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes were 31.1 and 19.2%, respectively. Rates of 7- and 30-day mortality and MACE were similar among the different HbA_1c groups. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that compared with normal glucose metabolism, prediabetes (hazard ratio, HR, 1.003; 95% CI, 0.865-1.165) and newly diagnosed diabetes (HR, 0.887; 95% CI, 0.739-1.064) were not correlated with 30-day MACE. However, admission glucose was an independent predictor of short-term MACE (HR, 1.031; 95% CI, 1.017-1.046). Conclusions: In nondiabetic patients after STEMI, the incidence of latent diabetes mellitus was increased. Newly diagnosed diabetes and prediabetes were not correlated with short-term outcome in nondiabetic patients with STEMI, yet admission glucose level was an independent predictor of short-term MACE. To reduce the incidence of short-term MACE after STEMI, more attention should be paid to the control of increased glucose levels and intrinsic stress states.

Impact of admission glycemia and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c on long-term clinical outcomes of non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundAdmission glucose levels have proven to be a predictor in patients with acute myocardial infarction and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, even in patients without diabetes. However, the effect of both admission glucose and HbA1c levels on clinical outcomes in non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has not been fully elucidated. We evaluated the combined effect of admission glucose and HbA1c values on long-term clinical outcomes in non-diabetic patients with ACS treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and resultsThis was an observational study of 452 consecutive non-diabetic patients with ACS who underwent PCI between January 1997 and December 2006. The patients were assigned to four groups according to the median values of admission glucose and HbA1c. The primary endpoint comprising a composite of all-cause death and non-fatal MI was compared among the four groups. The primary endpoint occurred in 13.3% of the participants during a median follow-up period of 4.7 years. The cumulative incidence rate of primary endpoint significantly differed among the groups (p=0.048). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the combination of elevated admission glucose and HbA1c was independently associated with long-term clinical outcomes. ConclusionsCombined admission glucose and HbA1c values were independently associated with clinical outcomes in non-diabetic patients with ACS treated with PCI.

Insulin resistance negatively affects long-term outcome in non-diabetic patients with coronary artery disease after therapies to reduce atherosclerotic risk factors

BackgroundInsulin resistance (IR) is a predictor of cardiovascular (CV) events even before the onset of diabetes. However, it is unclear whether changes in IR after a reduction of atherosclerotic burden may affect long-term outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study examined whether changes in IR after therapy to reduce atherosclerotic risk factors provides prognostic information on future CV events in non-diabetic patients with CAD. Methods and resultsThis study enrolled 175 non-diabetic patients with newly diagnosed CAD and IR. IR was defined as the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR)≧2.5. Evaluation of HOMA-IR was repeated at entry (1st test) and 6 months after individualized, optimized therapy including medications and lifestyle changes (2nd test). After the 2nd test, all patients were prospectively followed-up for 3 years or until the occurrence of one of the following events: CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring coronary revascularization, or ischemic stroke. IR was improved (HOMA-IR<2.5) after 6 months in 71 (41%) patients, whereas IR persisted in 104 (59%) patients. During the follow-up period, events occurred in 21 (20%) of the 104 patients with persistent IR and 3 (4%) of the 71 patients with improved IR (p<0.01). In multivariate stepwise Cox proportional hazards analysis, persistent IR was an independent predictor of future CV events (HR 4.8, 95% CI 1.4–11.2, p<0.01). ConclusionsThe presence of IR despite optimized therapies to reduce atherosclerotic risk factors represents an adverse outcome predictor in non-diabetic patients with CAD.

Impact of insulin resistance on 1-year clinical outcomes in non-diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents

BackgroundInsulin resistance (IR) is known to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the impact of IR on 1-year clinical outcomes in non-diabetic CAD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DESs). Methods and resultsA total of 229 consecutive non-diabetic CAD patients treated with DESs were enrolled. Study population was divided into IR group [homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index≥2.5, n=54] and non-IR group (HOMA index<2.5, n=175). Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics were similar between the groups except higher incidence of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and lower incidence of multivessel disease as the target vessel in the non-IR group. There was a trend toward longer restenosis lesion length in the IR group at 6 months angiographic follow up but composite major clinical outcomes up to 1 year were similar between the two groups. ConclusionsDespite worse trend in angiographic outcomes in the IR group (HOMA index≥2.5), it was not translated into worse 1-year major clinical outcomes following PCI with DESs as compared to the non-IR group.

AS-203: Impact of Glycosylated Hemoglobin Level on Two-Year Clinical Outcomes in Non-Diabetic Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

AS-203: Impact of Glycosylated Hemoglobin Level on Two-Year Clinical Outcomes in Non-Diabetic Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Relationship of initial glucose level and all‐cause death in patients with ischaemic stroke: the roles of diabetes mellitus and glycated hemoglobin level

Previous studies demonstrated that post-stroke hyperglycemia was associated with poor outcome in non-diabetic patients. However, evidence was inconclusive amongst patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between initial glucose levels and mortality amongst patients with acute ischaemic stroke, and further, to assess whether the association varied by diabetes mellitus and glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c) ) levels. Data were collected from the medical records of 1277 first-ever stroke patients admitted to the emergency room between January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between initial glucose level and mortality. Compared with the lowest quartile of initial glucose level, a significant association with all-cause death [hazard ratio (HR), 2.18; 95% CI, 1.36-3.48] and cardiovascular death (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.01-3.61) was seen in the highest quartile. In non-diabetic subgroup, those patients within the highest quartile of initial glucose level had a 3.29-fold relative risks (RR) [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.62-6.68] for all-cause and a 2.54-fold RR (95% CI, 1.43-8.77) for cardiovascular death compared with those within the lowest quartile. However, the association between initial glucose levels and the risk of death was not significant amongst those with diabetes (P for interaction = 0.01). In addition, the risk amongst patients with diabetes varied by the HbA(1c) levels. A significant association was confirmed between initial glucose level and mortality in non-diabetic ischaemic stroke patients. The possible relationship between initial glucose level, HbA(1c) level, and mortality amongst ischaemic stroke patients with diabetes warrants further research.

Prognostic Value of Admission Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Glucose in Nondiabetic Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

In nondiabetic patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, acute hyperglycemia is associated with adverse outcome. Whether this association is due merely to hyperglycemia as an acute stress response or whether longer-term glycometabolic derangements are also involved is uncertain. It was our aim to determine the association between both acute and chronic hyperglycemia (hemoglobin A(₁c) [HbA(₁c)]) and outcome in nondiabetic patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. This observational study included consecutive patients (n=4176) without known diabetes mellitus admitted with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. All patients were treated with primary percutaneous intervention. Both glucose and HbA(1c) were measured on admission. Main outcome measure was total long-term mortality; secondary outcome measures were 1-year mortality and enzymatic infarct size. One-year mortality was 4.7%, and mortality after total follow-up (3.3 ± 1.5 years) was 10%. Both elevated HbA(1c) levels (P<0.001) and elevated admission glucose (P<0.001) were associated with 1-year and long-term mortality. After exclusion of early mortality (within 30 days), HbA(₁c) remained associated with long-term mortality (P<0.001), whereas glucose lost significance (P=0.09). Elevated glucose, but not elevated HbA(₁c), was associated with larger infarct size. After multivariate analysis, HbA(₁c) (hazard ratio, 1.2 per interquartile range; P<0.01), but not glucose, was independently associated with long-term mortality. In nondiabetic patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, both elevated admission glucose and HbA(₁c) levels were associated with adverse outcome. Both of these parameters reflect different patient populations, and their association with outcome is probably due to different mechanisms. Measurement of both parameters enables identification of these high-risk groups for aggressive secondary risk prevention.

Associations of metabolic syndrome and its components with cardiovascular outcomes among non-diabetic patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is thought to be a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease. This study investigated whether the presence of MS also modifies cardiovascular (CV) outcomes among non-diabetic patients undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). We enrolled 280 patients from a medical centre in North Taiwan who began PD between January 1999 and December 2005 and followed them until December 2009. MS was defined by the modified National Cholesterol Educational Programme (Adult Treatment Panel III) criteria. All parameters and biochemical data were collected by chart review. Patient outcomes (overall and CV death, fatal or non-fatal CV events) were recorded during the follow-up period. Survival was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the influence of MS and its components on outcomes were analysed by Cox regression models. The average follow-up period was 49.2 months. Non-diabetic patients with MS had worse outcomes than those without MS or at risk for MS, but better than their diabetic counterparts. By multivariate analysis, MS was independently associated with increased risk for CV death (hazard ratio, HR = 13.27) and fatal or non-fatal CV events (HR = 10.50). Among five MS components, hypertriglyceridaemia, low high-density lipoprotein levels and hyperglycaemia were significant risk factors for adverse CV outcomes. MS is a potent risk marker for adverse CV outcomes in non-diabetic patients on PD. Timely interventions targeting specific component of this syndrome may be required in this subset of patients.

Prediction of adverse outcomes by blood glucose level after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke

The authors evaluated the prognostic significance of blood glucose level at admission (BGA) and change in blood glucose at 48 hours from the baseline value (CG48) in nondiabetic and diabetic patients before and after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The BGA and CG48 data were analyzed in 614 patients with AIS who received endovascular therapy at 7 US centers between 2006 and 2009. Data reviewed included demographics, stroke risk factors, diabetic status, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at presentation, recanalization grade, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) rate, and 90-day outcomes (mortality rate and modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 [defined as poor outcome]). Variables with p values < 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in a binary logistic regression model for independent predictors of 90-day outcomes. The mean patient age was 67.3 years, the median NIHSS score was 16, and 27% of patients had diabetes. In nondiabetic patients, BGA ≥ 116 mg/dl (≥ 6.4 mmol/L) and failure of glucose level to drop > 30 mg/dl (> 1.7 mmol/L) from the admission value were both significant predictors of 90-day poor outcome and death (p < 0.001). In patients with diabetes, BGA ≥ 116 mg/dl (≥ 6.4 mmol/L) was an independent predictor of poor outcome (p = 0.001). The CG48 was not a predictor of outcome in diabetic patients. A simplified 6-point scale including BGA, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Grade 2-3 Reperfusion, Age, presentation NIHSS score, CG48, and symptomatic ICH (BRANCH) corresponded with poor outcomes at 90 days; the area under the curve value was > 0.79. Failure of blood glucose values to decrease in the first 48 hours after AIS intervention correlated with poor 90-day outcomes in nondiabetic patients. The BRANCH scale shows promise as a simple prognostication tool after endovascular therapy for AIS, and it merits prospective validation.