Abstract
Diabetes, Fasting Glucose Levels, and Risk of Ischemic Stroke and Vascular Events
Findings from the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS)
Bernadette Boden-Albala , MPH, DRPH 1 2 ,
Sam Cammack , MS 1 ,
Ji Chong , MD 1 ,
Culing Wang , PHD 3 ,
Clinton Wright , MD, MS 1 ,
Tatjana Rundek , MD 4 ,
Mitchell S.V. Elkind , MD, MS 1 ,
Myunghee C. Paik , PHD 3 and
Ralph L. Sacco , MD, MS 4
1 Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
2 Department of Sociomedical Science, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
3 Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
4 Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
Corresponding author: Bernadette Boden-Albala, DrPH, Neurological Institute, 710 W. 168 St., New York, NY 10032. E-mail: bb87{at}columbia.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE —There is insufficient randomized trial data to support evidence-based recommendations for tight control of fasting blood
glucose (FBG) among diabetic subjects in primary stroke prevention. We explored the relationship between FBG among diabetic
subjects and risk of ischemic stroke in a multiethnic prospective cohort.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Medical and social data and FBG values were collected for 3,298 stroke-free community residents: mean age ± SD was 69 ±10
years; 63% were women, 21% were white, 24% were black, and 53% were Hispanic; and follow-up was 6.5 years. Baseline FBG levels
were categorized: 1 ) elevated FBG: history of diabetes and FBG ≥126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l); 2 ) target FBG: history of diabetes and FBG <126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l); or 3 ) no diabetes/reference group. Cox models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI for ischemic stroke and vascular
events.
RESULTS —In the Northern Manhattan Study, 572 participants reported a history of diabetes and 59% ( n = 338) had elevated FBG. Elevated FBG among diabetic subjects was associated with female sex ( P < 0.04), Medicaid ( P = 0.01), or no insurance ( P = 0.03). We detected 190 ischemic strokes and 585 vascular events. Diabetic subjects with elevated FBG (HR 2.7 [95% CI 2.0–3.8])
were at increased risk of stroke, but those with target FBG levels (1.2 [0.7–2.1]) were not, even after adjustment. A similar
relationship existed for vascular events: elevated FBG (2.0 [1.6–2.5]) and target FBG (1.3 [0.9–1.8].
CONCLUSIONS —This prospective cohort study provides evidence for the benefits of tighter glucose control for primary stroke prevention.
ARIC, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities
CPMC, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
FBG, fasting blood glucose
NOMAS, Northern Manhattan Study
UKPDS, UK Prospective Diabetes Study
Footnotes
Published ahead of print at http://care.diabetesjournals.org on 13 March 2008. DOI: 10.2337/dc07-0797.
Additional information for this article can be found in an online appendix at http://dx.doi.org/10.2337/dc07-0797 .
The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore
be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Accepted March 4, 2008.
Received April 24, 2007.
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