Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Calcifications in Overweight or Obese Persons with Prediabetes: Can They Predict T2 Diabetes and Coronary Vascular Events?

Background: It is difficult to predict the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in subjects with prediabetes and obesity. The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for coronary artery calcifications (CACs) and the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary vascular events (CVEs) after 7 years in 100 overweight or obese persons with prediabetes, according to the baseline coronary artery calcium score (CACS).

Methods: Lipids, HbA1c, uric acid, and creatinine were assessed. Glucose, insulin, and c-peptide were determined during an oral glucose tolerance test. Multi-sliced computerized tomography with evaluation of CACS was performed. After 7 years, the subjects were assessed for T2D/CVE.

Results: CACs were present in 59 subjects. No single biochemical marker could predict presence of a CAC. After 7 years, T2D developed in 55 subjects (61.8% initially had both IFG and IGT). A gain in weight was the only contributing factor for T2D. Nineteen subjects developed a CVE; increased initial clustering of HOMA-IR > 1.9, LDL > 2.6, and mmol/Land TGL > 1.7 mmol/L and higher CACS were present in that group.

Conclusions: No risk factors for CACs could be identified. A gain in weight is associated with T2D development, as are higher CACS and clustering of high LDL+TGL+HOMA-IR with CVEs.