LDL cholesterol is not a good marker of cardiovascular risk in Type 1 diabetes.

AIM: LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is considered an important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Less is known in Type 1 diabetes. We assessed LDL-C and total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C) as predictors of CVD in Type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The study monitored 30 778 people with Type 1 diabetes, baseline 2003-2006, to 31 December 2011. Cox regression analyses were performed with LDL-C and TC/HDL-C as predictors of fatal/non-fatal CVD. Models were adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors. RESULTS: Hazard ratios (HR) (with 95% CI) per 1 mmol/l increase in LDL-C for CVD were 1.09 (1.01-1.18) in people without lipid-lowering medication and 1.02 (0.95-1.09) in people with lipid-lowering medication (P = 0.02 and 0.65). In people aged 40 years or older having a CVD risk factor, and in people with a history of CVD, HR was 1.07 (0.99-1.16) and 1.02 (0.92-1.13) (P = 0.07 and 0.66). HR per 1 unit increase in TC/HDL-C was 1.12 (1.05-1.20) in people without lipid-lowering medication and 1.08 (1.02-1.15) in people with lipid-lowering medication (P < 0.001 and 0.01). For people aged 40 or older and people with a history of CVD, HR was 1.16 (1.09-1.24) and 1.04 (0.95-1.14) (P < 0.001 and 0.43). Broken down into octiles, LDL-C was not a significant predictor of CVD in any group. Higher octiles of TC/HDL-C were significant predictors for CVD in people without lipid-lowering medication and in those aged 40 years or older. CONCLUSION: In this study of people with Type 1 diabetes in clinical practice, LDL-C was not a good predictor of CVD. We found no support for an LDL-C cut-off point < 2.6 mmol/l. TC/HDL-C seems more reliable as a marker for CVD risk when considering primary prevention.

Mortality and extent of coronary artery disease in 2776 patients with type 1 diabetes undergoing coronary angiography: A nationwide study.

Background In a modern perspective there is limited information on mortality by affected coronary vessels assessed by coronary angiography in patients with type 1 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to characterise distribution of coronary artery disease and impact on long-term mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes undergoing coronary angiography. Design The design of this research was a nationwide population-based cohort study. Methods Individuals ( n = 2776) with type 1 diabetes undergoing coronary angiography 2001-2013 included in the Swedish National Diabetes Registry and Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry were followed for mortality until 31 December 2013 (mean 7.1 years). In 79% the indication was stable or acute coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease was categorised into normal (21%), one- (23%), two- (18%), three- (29%) and left main-vessel disease (8%). Results Mean age was 57 years and 58% were male. Mean diabetes duration was 35 years, glycated haemoglobin was 67 mmol/mol and 44% had normal or one-vessel disease. In multivariate Cox proportional analyses hazard ratio for mortality compared with normal findings was 1.09 (95% confidence interval 0.80-1.48) for one, 1.43 (1.05-1.94) for two, 1.47 (1.10-1.96) for three and 1.90 (1.35-2.68) for left main-vessel disease. Renal failure 2.29 (1.77-2.96) and previous heart failure 1.76 (1.46-2.13) were highly associated with mortality. Standard mortality ratio the first year was 5.55 (4.65-6.56) and decreased to 2.80 (2.18-3.54) after five years. Conclusions In patients with type 1 diabetes referred for coronary angiography mortality is influenced by numbers of affected coronary vessels. The overall mortality rate was higher compared with the general population. These results support early intensive prevention of coronary artery disease in this population.