Serum adiponectin concentrations as a risk factor for cardiovascular complications in type 1 diabetes

Aim: By analyzing data from DCCT/EDIC study, we investigated the associations of serum adiponectin concen-trations with macrovascular complications and cardiovascular events in T1D.Materials and Methods: Adiponectin concentrations were measured in EDIC year 8. The participants (n = 1040) were divided into four groups by quartiles of adiponectin concentrations. The association of macrovascular complications and cardiovascular events were analyzed by using multivariable regression and Cox proportional hazards models.Results: High adiponectin concentrations were associated with decreased risk of peripheral artery disease rep-resented by ankle brachial index (ORs (95% CI): 0.22 (0.07-0.72), 0.48 (0.18-1.25), and 0.38 (0.14-0.99) in fourth, third, and second quartiles compared with first quartile), with reduced carotid intima-media thickness, and with increased LVEDV index. Moreover, high adiponectin concentrations were also associated with increased risk of any cardiovascular events (HRs (95% CI): 2.59 (1.10-6.06), 2.03 (0.90-4.59), and 1.22 (0.52-2.85)) and major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (HRs (95% CI): 11.37 (2.04-63.43), 5.68 (1.04-31.07), and 3.76 (0.65-21.77) in fourth, third, and second quartiles compared with first quartile), however, after adjustments with LVEDV index, these associations were diminished.Conclusions: Adiponectin may protect carotid atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease in T1D. It may be associated with increased cardiovascular events, depending on cardiac structural changes.