Serum calcification propensity is associated with HbA1c in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: Serum calcification propensity is emerging as an independent predictor for cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk populations. Calcification propensity can be monitored by the maturation time of calciprotein particles in serum (T test). A low T value is an independent determinant of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in various populations. Aim was to investigate the T and its relationship to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Research Design And Methods: Using nephelometry, serum T was cross-sectionally measured in 932 stable patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (55% male) with a median age of 66 (62-75) years, diabetes duration of 6.5 (3.0-10.2) years and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 49 (44-54) mmol/mol.

Results: Serum T was normally distributed with a mean value of 261±66 min. In linear regression, serum T was lower in women and current smokers. A lower T value was found in patients with a higher HbA1c or higher systolic blood pressure, insulin users and patients with a longer history of diabetes. The association with HbA1c was independent of other determinants in multivariable analysis. There was no association between T and previous macrovascular events or the presence of microvascular disease.

Conclusions: Serum calcification propensity is independently associated with glycemic control, suggesting that a lower HbA1c may be associated with better cardiovascular outcomes. Retrospective analysis could not establish an association between a history of macrovascular events and T, and prospective studies will have to be performed to address this hypothesis.

Trial Registration Number: NCT01570140.