Abstract

BACKGROUND
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a useful index of mean blood glucose concentrations over the preceding 2 to 3 months. Elevated HbA1c levels (> 7%) are associated with a higher incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the relationship between HbA1c and cardiovascualr disease risk in nondiabetic adults has been unclear. The aim of this study is to estimate the association of HbA1c with cardiovascular disease risk factors and metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic adults. METHODS: The subjects of this study included 533 adults (180 males and 353 females) aged 20~70 years (mean age: 46.9 +/- 10.12 years) without previously diagnosed diabetes who lived in Kangyang country. We examined baseline HbA1c levels and cardiovascular risk factors. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on International Diabetes Federation guidelines. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased as HbA1c increased. HbA1c revealed a significant correlation with age (r = 0.258, P < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.152, P < 0.001), waist circumference (r = 0.252, P < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.319, P < 0.001), systolic (r = 0.100, P = 0.021), diastolic (r = 0.115, P = 0.008) blood pressure, total cholesterol (r = 0.232, P < 0.001), triglyceride (r = 0.156, P < 0.001), LDL cholesterol (r = 0.216, P < 0.001), and HDL cholesterol (r = -0.167, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that HbA1c had a association with age, fasting plasma glucose, and dyslipidemia. The receiver operating characterstics (ROC) curve analysis determined HbA1c of 5.35% to yield optimal sensitivity and specificity corresponding to the presence of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The HbA1c level is correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic adults.

• Keywords: Cardiovascular disease;HbA1c;Metabolic syndrome