Inflammatory risk of albumin combined with C-reactive protein predicts long-term cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes

TL;DR

This study shows that a simple blood test combining albumin and C-reactive protein can predict long-term heart risks in people with diabetes.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the Glasgow Prognostic Score's novel utility in predicting cardiovascular mortality in diabetic patients.

Findings

High GPS was linked to a 25.7% higher risk of cardiovascular death in diabetic patients.

High GPS was associated with a 39.4% higher risk of all-cause death in diabetic patients.

Results were consistent across subgroups and over a median follow-up of 10.9 years.

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of inflammatory risk as defined by the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) for cardiovascular death in patients with diabetes.

Methods: This study included 4956 patients (≥18 years old) with diabetes in the National Health and Nutrition Survey from 1999 to 2010. The mortality rate was determined by the correlation with the national death index on December 31, 2019. The GPS was composed of the serum C-reactive protein and the albumin. The primary outcome was cardiovascular death and the secondary outcome was all-cause death. The Cox proportional risk model adjusted for demographic factors and traditional cardiovascular risk factors was used to analyze the cumulative risk of outcomes.

Results: Among 4956 diabetes patients with a median follow-up of 10.9 years, 601 cardiovascular deaths and 2187 all-cause deaths were recorded. After adequate model adjustment, compared with the low GPS group, the high GPS group (HR, 1.257 (1.007–1.570), P = 0.043) had a higher cardiovascular mortality. Compared with the low GPS group, the all-cause mortality of the high GPS group (HR, 1.394 (1.245–1.560), P < 0.001) was higher. The results of subgroup analyses were similar with that of the overall cohort.

Conclusions: The inflammatory risk as defined by the GPS was closely related to the increased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death in patients with diabetes. It may be a convenient and efficient clinical practical risk assessment tool for patients with diabetes.

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