Biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction as predictors of pulse pressure and incident hypertension in type 1 diabetes: a 20 year life-course study in an inception cohort

Isabel Ferreira*, Peter Hovind, Casper G. Schalkwijk, Hans Henrik Parving, Coen D.A. Stehouwer, Peter Rossing

*Corresponding author for this work
13 Citations (Scopus)
31 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: Vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are thought to contribute to arterial stiffening and hypertension. This study aims to test this hypothesis with longitudinal data in the context of type 1 diabetes. Methods: We investigated, in an inception cohort of 277 individuals with type 1 diabetes, the course, tracking and temporal inter-relationships of BP, specifically pulse pressure (a marker of arterial stiffening) and hypertension, and the following biomarkers of systemic and vascular inflammation/endothelial dysfunction: C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin). These biomarkers and other risk factors were measured at baseline and repeatedly up to 20 years after the onset of type 1 diabetes. Data were analysed with generalised estimating equations including adjustments for age, sex, smoking status, BMI, HbA1c, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, urinary AER, insulin treatment dose and mean arterial pressure. Results: Increases were noted in all biomarkers except sE-selectin, which decreased over time. Levels differed from baseline at 2–4 years and preceded the increase in pulse pressure, which occurred at 8–10 years after the onset of type 1 diabetes. Higher levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, but not CRP or sE-selectin, at baseline and throughout the 20 year follow-up, were significantly associated with higher (changes in) pulse pressure at subsequent time points. Higher levels of sVCAM-1 at baseline and during follow-up were also significantly associated with the prevalence (OR 3.60 [95% CI 1.36, 9.53] and OR 2.28 [1.03, 5.25], respectively) and incidence (OR 2.89 [1.08, 7.75] and OR 3.06 [1.01, 9.26], respectively) of hypertension. We also investigated the longitudinal associations between BP or hypertension as determinants of subsequent (changes in) levels of CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin, but did not find evidence to support a reverse causality hypothesis. Conclusions/interpretation: These findings support the involvement of vascular endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in the development of premature arterial stiffening and hypertension in type 1 diabetes.

Original languageEnglish
JournalDiabetologia
Volume61
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)231-241
Number of pages11
ISSN0012-186X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Arterial stiffness
  • CRP
  • Endothelial dysfunction
  • Hypertension
  • Inflammation
  • Longitudinal study
  • Pulse pressure
  • sE-selectin
  • sICAM-1
  • sVCAM-1
  • Type 1 diabetes

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