Remnant cholesterol is independently associated with diabetes, even if the traditional lipid is at the appropriate level: A report from the REACTION study.

Background: The association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and diabetes remains unclear because of limited study and data. This study attempted to explore the association between RC and diabetes in a large sample, multicenter general population.

Methods: The current study included 36 684 participants from eight provinces across China. Subjects were quartered according to the RC quartile. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between RC and diabetes.

Results: After adjusting for potential confounding factors, RC was still significantly associated with diabetes (Q4: odds ratio [OR]:1.147, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.049-1.254, p = .003). In addition, RC and diabetes were still significantly associated when triglycerides (TG) were <1.7 mmol/L (Q4: OR: 1.155, 95% CI: 1.005-1.327, p = .042), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <3.4 mmol/L (Q4: OR: 1.130, 95% CI: 1.011-1.264, p = .032), or HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) ≥1.0 mmol/L (Q4: OR: 1.116, 95% CI: 1.007-1.237, p = .037). In the stratification analysis, elevated RC was significantly associated with diabetes in subjects with systolic blood pressure (SBP) <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mm Hg, 60 ≤ estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤90 ml/min per 1.73 m , younger than 55 years old and female.

Conclusion: In the Chinese community, RC is significantly correlated with diabetes, even when TG, LDL-C, or HDL-C were controlled within the appropriate range recommended by the guidelines.