The association between glycated hemoglobin levels and long-term prognosis in patients with diabetes and triple-vessel coronary disease across different age groups: A cohort study

Aim

Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and adverse prognostic events in patients with diabetes and triple-vessel coronary disease (TVD).

Methods

This study ultimately included 2051 patients with TVD and diabetes. Patients were categorized into five groups based on their HbA1c levels: < 6.0 %, 6.0–6.4 %, 6.5–6.9 %, 7.0–7.9 %, and ≥ 8.0 %. The primary endpoint was all-cause death, and the secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

Results

The median follow-up time was 5.88 years. During this period, a total of 323 (15.7 %) all-cause deaths and 537 (26.2 %) MACCEs were recorded. The relationship between HbA1c and the risk of endpoint events showed a J-shaped pattern, with the lowest risk observed between 6.0 % and 6.4 %. Further analysis revealed a significant interaction between HbA1c and age. In the subgroup with age < 70 years, as HbA1c increased, the risk of endpoint events gradually rose. While in the subgroup with age ≥70 years, there was an L-shaped relationship between HbA1c and endpoint events, with the highest risk observed in patients with HbA1c < 6.0 %.

Conclusion

Our study revealed variations in the relationship between HbA1c levels and endpoint events among patients with TVD and diabetes of different ages. In younger patients, elevated HbA1c levels were associated with a higher risk of death and MACCE, while in older patients, excessively low HbA1c levels (HbA1c < 6 %) were linked to a higher risk of death and MACCE.