Cardiovascular,Renal,and Hepatic Biomarkers Outside Guideline-Recommended Thresholds: Prevalence and Determinants in Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction:

The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic biomarkers that fall outside guideline-based thresholds in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with these biomarkers.

Methods:

This observational study linked data on 2,923 adults with T1D from the T1D Exchange Registry and NorstellaLinQ’s laboratory data (2022–2023). Prevalence of biomarkers outside guideline-recommended thresholds was calculated. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to model associations with age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, T1D duration, body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), while accounting for within-subject correlation due to repeated measures.

Results:

Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (≥70 mg/dL, above the recommended goal for individuals with diabetes at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) was common (80.2%), as were overweight (33.8%) and obesity (30.3%). Additional findings included high total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dL, 22.6%), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (<40 mg/dL males, <50 mg/dL females, 13.4%), elevated urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (≥30 mg/g, 13.0%), reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73 m², 6.2%), and elevated fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) (≥1.3, 14.4%). In adjusted GEE models, higher HbA1c was significantly associated with increased odds of abnormal cardiovascular and renal biomarkers across most measures. Male sex and BMI were linked to lower HDL cholesterol, while older age was strongly associated with elevated FIB-4.

Conclusion:

Obesity and elevated LDL cholesterol are highly prevalent in adults with T1D, indicating substantial cardiometabolic risk. The lack of outcome trials in this population underscores the need for studies to evaluate strategies to improve weight and lipid management and thereby reduce cardiovascular and renal risk in adults with T1D.