Usefulness of New Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome Optimized for Prediction of Cardiovascular Diseases in Japanese.

AIMS: We attempted to clarify whether the multiple criteria for metabolic syndrome (MetS) can sufficiently predict cardiovascular disease, whether waist circumference (WC) should be required, and whether sex-specific thresholds for each component are necessary. Only a few large-scale studies among East Asians have addressed the ability of MetS to predict cardiovascular disease. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 330,051 men and 235,028 women aged 18-74 years with no history of coronary artery disease (CAD) or cerebrovascular disease (CVD) from a nationwide Japanese claims database accumulated during 2008-2016. The association of each MetS component with CAD or CVD (CAD/CVD), MetS associated with CAD/CVD according to various criteria, and utility of modified criteria with more specific optimal values for each component were examined using multivariate Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: During the study, 3,934 men (1.19%) and 893 women (0.38%) developed CAD/CVD. For each current MetS criteria, there was a 1.3- to 2.9-fold increased risk of CAD/CVD. Optimal thresholds for predicting CAD/CVD were WCs of 83 and 77 cm, triglycerides levels of 130 and 90 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of 50 and 65 mg/dl, blood pressures of 130/80 and 120/80 mmHg, and fasting plasma glucose levels of 100 and 90 mg/dl for men and women, respectively. The existing MetS criteria and modified criteria were not significantly different in predicting CAD/CVD, but using the modified criteria markedly increased the prevalence of MetS and percentage of people with MetS developing CAD/CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Although various criteria for MetS similarly predicted CAD/CVD, the new criteria greatly reduced the number of high-risk individuals, especially women, overlooked by the current criteria.

Relationship between the magnitude of body mass index reductions and remission in patients with type 2 diabetes in real world settings: Analysis of nationwide patient registry in Japan (JDDM74).

AIMS: To determine the association between the magnitude of weight loss and incidence of remission according to baseline characteristics in patients with diabetes in clinical settings. METHODS: In total, 39 676 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥18 years with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% and/or glucose-lowering drug prescription were identified from databases of specialists' clinics from 1989 and followed until September 2022. Remission was diagnosed as maintaining HbA1c <6.5% at least 3 months after cessation of a glucose-lowering drug. Factors associated with remission were evaluated by logistic regression analysis according to weight change in 1 year (i.e. ≥10%, 7.0-9.9%, 3.0-6.9% reduction, <3% change and ≥3.0% increase). RESULTS: During the study period, 3454 remissions occurred. The rates of remission were higher in the group with the greatest reduction of body mass index (BMI) in any category examined (i.e. baseline BMI, HbA1c, duration of diabetes and treatment). The incidences of remission per 1000 person-years were about 25 and 50, respectively, for those with BMI ≥22.5 and reductions in BMI of 7.0-9.9% and ≥10% in 1 year. Remissions per 1000 person-years were 99.2 and 91.8, respectively, for those with baseline HbA1c of 6.5-6.9 and a 10% BMI reduction and those not taking glucose-lowering drugs accompanied by a 10% BMI reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Modest weight losses of 3.0-7.9% were significantly associated with remission, but a minimum of 10% weight loss would be required in addition to an early diagnosis to achieve a 10% remission rate in clinical settings. Our results implied that remission may be expected with a relatively lower BMI in an Asian population compared with that was reported in Western populations if accompanied by weight loss.

Incidence and predictors of remission and relapse of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan: Analysis of a nationwide patient registry (JDDM73).

AIMS: To determine the incidence of remission and 1-year relapse from remission and associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 320 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥18 years, with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%) and/or glucose-lowering drug prescription, were identified from databases of specialist clinics from 1989 and followed until September 2022. Remission was defined as HbA1c <48 mmol/mol at least 3 months after cessation of a glucose-lowering drug. Relapse was defined as failure to maintain remission for 1 year. Factors associated with remission and relapse were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of remissions per 1000 person-years was 10.5, and for those with HbA1c levels of 48 to 53 mmol/mol (6.5% to 6.9%), those taking no glucose-lowering drugs at baseline, and those with a ≥10% body mass index (BMI) reduction in 1 year, it was 27.8, 21.7 and 48.2, respectively. Shorter duration, lower baseline HbA1c, higher baseline BMI, higher BMI reduction at 1 year, and no glucose-lowering drugs at baseline were significantly associated with remission. Among 3677 persons with remission, approximately two-thirds (2490) relapsed within 1 year. Longer duration, lower BMI at baseline, and lower BMI reduction at 1 year were significantly associated with relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the incidence of remission and predictors of relapse, especially baseline BMI, might differ greatly between East Asian and Western populations. Furthermore, the relationships of BMI reduction with remission and relapse may be greater in East Asian than in Western populations, implying ethnic differences in returning from overt hyperglycaemia to nearly normal glucose levels.

Association between Plasma Follistatin-like Protein 1 Levels and the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease.

Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) is a secreted glycoprotein known for its role in inflammation. However, plasma FSTL1 levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been fully elucidated. Thus, in this study, we investigated the plasma FSTL1 levels of 350 patients who underwent elective coronary angiography. The severity of CAD was represented as the numbers of > 50% stenotic vessels and segments and the severity score. CAD was detected in 196 patients, of whom 84 had 1-vessel disease (1-VD), 62 had 2-VD, and 50 had 3-VD. Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were higher in patients with CAD than in those without CAD (median 0.56 versus 0.44 mg/L, P < 0.01). Notably, plasma FSTL1 levels were higher in patients with CAD than in those without CAD (median 4.05 versus 3.47 ng/mL, P < 0.02). A stepwise increase in FSTL1 levels was found depending on the number of > 50% stenotic vessels: 3.47 in CAD (-), 3.74 in 1-VD, 4.42 in 2-VD, and 4.65 ng/mL in 3-VD (P < 0.05). FSTL1 levels also correlated with the number of > 50% stenotic segments and the severity score (r = 0.14 and r = 0.15, respectively, P < 0.005) and hsCRP levels (r = 0.10, P < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, FSTL1 levels were an independent factor associated with CAD. The odds ratio for CAD was 1.61 (95% CI = 1.01-2.58) for high FSTL1 level of > 3.6 ng/mL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, plasma FSTL1 levels in patients with CAD were found to be high and associated with the presence and severity of CAD, thus, suggesting that FSTL1 may play a role in the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.