Genetic determinants of blood pressure traits are associated with carotid arterial thickening and plaque formation in patients with type 2 diabetes. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Engelbrechtsen, Line; Appel, Vincent E; Schnurr, Theresia M; Lundby-Christensen, Louise; Skaaby, Thea; Linneberg, Allan; Drivsholm, Thomas; Witte, Daniel R; Jorgensen, Marit E; Grarup, Niels; Pedersen, Oluf; Hansen, Torben; Vestergaard, Henrik
• Is Part Of: Diabetes & vascular disease research. Volume 16:Number 1(2019:Jan.)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Type 2 diabetes -- carotid thickening -- atherosclerosis -- risk factors -- genetic risk score; Diabetic angiopathies -- Periodicals; 616.462005
• DOI: 10.1177/1479164118810365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-1641

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the contribution of genetically driven cardiometabolic risk factors for development of carotid arterial thickening in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In total, 12 genetic risk scores for blood pressure, blood lipids and glycaemic traits were constructed. The genetic risk scores were tested for association with carotid intima-media thickness and plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes ( n = 401) and in non-diabetic individuals ( n = 648) and for association with glucose levels in two population-based cohorts ( n = 1328 and n = 6161). Results: In patients with type 2 diabetes, the genetic risk scores for pulse pressure were positively associated with plaque formation ( β = 0.036 ± 0.01 standard deviation/allele, p = 0.003). The genetic risk score for diastolic blood pressure was negatively associated with carotid intima-media thickness ( β = –0.037 ± 0.01 standard deviation/allele, p = 0.005), although not significant after correction for multiple testing ( p < 0.0042). In a meta-analysis of individuals with and without type 2 diabetes, the high-density lipoprotein genetic risk scores showed a trend towards an inverse association with carotid intima-media thickness and plaques, while the low-density lipoprotein genetic risk scores showed a trend towards a positive association with plaque formation but did reach the statistical threshold. Conclusion: Genetic loci for pulse pressure are associated with plaque formation among patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting an underlying genetic contribution to arterial stiffening and atherosclerosis.