Cardiometabolic risk factors, peripheral arterial tonometry and metformin in adults with type 1 diabetes participating in the REducing with MetfOrmin Vascular Adverse Lesions trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) provides non-invasive measures of vascular health. Beneficial effects of metformin on vascular function have been reported in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the REducing with MetfOrmin Vascular Adverse Lesions (REMOVAL) trial in adults with T1D and high cardiovascular risk, we examined: (i) the extent to which routinely-measured cardiometabolic risk factors explain variance in baseline PAT; and (ii) the effects of metformin on PAT measures.
METHODS: Cross-sectional univariable and multivariable analyses of baseline reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) and augmentation index (AI) (EndoPAT® (Itamar, Israel); and analysis of 36-months metformin versus placebo on vascular tonometry.
RESULTS: In 364 adults ((mean ± SD) age 55.2 ± 8.5 years, T1D 34.0 ± 10.6 years, HbA1c 64.5 ± 9.0 mmol/mol (8.1 ± 0.8%)), RHI was 2.26 ± 0.74 and AI was 15.9 ± 19.2%. In an exhaustive search, independent associates of (i) RHI were smoking, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and vitamin B12 (adjusted R2 = 0.11) and (ii) AI were male sex, pulse pressure, heart rate and waist circumference (adjusted R2 = 0.31). Metformin did not significantly affect RHI or AI.
CONCLUSION: Cardiometabolic risk factors explained only a modest proportion of variance in PAT measures of vascular health in adults with T1D and high cardiovascular risk. PAT measures were not affected by metformin.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 364 participants or records.
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