Serum Galectin-3 and Subsequent Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Subjects With Childhood-Onset Type 1 Diabetes: A Cohort Study
Research, design and methods: A population-based nation-wide cohort of 299 subjects with type 1 diabetes diagnosed in Norway at age <15 years during 1973-1982. They were examined in 2002-2003 at mean age of 33 years (range 21-44), with mean diabetes duration of 24 years (range 19-30). Subjects were followed through December 31, 2017 for their first CHD event registered by a hospitalization or cause of death using nation-wide registries. Stored serum samples were available for 296 subjects and analyzed for interleukin (IL)-6, IL-6 receptor, IL-18, high sensitivity-C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinases-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, galectin-3 and high sensitivity troponin T (hs-TNT). Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for CHD per standard deviation increase in biomarker were estimated using Cox regression.
Results: Of 295 subjects, 40 (13.6%) had documented CHD event during mean follow-up of 14.4 years (range 0.5 - 16). IL-6 (aHR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07 – 1.63), galectin-3 (aHR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.09 – 1.80) and TIMP-1 (aHR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04 – 1.81) were significant predictors of CHD after adjustment for conventional risk factors.
Conclusion: Galectin-3 was significantly associated
with future CHD in subjects with type 1 diabetes, and if the results are
replicated in larger studies it may aid in prediction together with conventional
risk factors for CHD.
