China: Research
published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has
mentioned that the duration of diabetes history plays a crucial role in
determining the risk of heart failure.
The data needs to
be more transparent on the interplay between the duration of diabetes and the
risk of heart failure.
A team of
researchers investigated this association in a study of 23 754 individuals who
had a history of diabetes without Heart
Failure (HF) during the baseline recruitment of UK Biobank. Duration of
diabetes was self-reported, and HbA1c levels reflected glycemic control.
The study results
include the following:
- There was a positive association between
diabetes duration and HbA1c levels with heart failure risk. - The hazard ratios for diabetes durations of 5
to less than 10, 10 to less than 15, and 15 years or more were 1.09, 1.13
and 1.32, respectively, with HR for HbA1c of 53.0 to less than 58.5
mmol/mol, 58.5 to less than 63.9 mmol/mol and 63.9 mmol/mol or greater
were 1.15, 1.07 and 1.46 respectively. - Those with the most prolonged disease duration
of more than or equal to 15 years and poorer glycemic control had a
significantly higher risk of Heart failure.
The conclusion
states that those with a longer duration of diabetes and increasing HbA1c
levels have a higher risk of heart failure.
This is an
important finding leading to the possible prevention of heart failure in
diabetic patients with consideration in clinical practices and policy-making.
Further reading:
Huan-Huan Yang et
al. Duration of Diabetes, Glycemic Control, and Risk of Heart Failure Among
Adults With Diabetes: A Cohort Study, The Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2022; dgac642, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac642