Unrecognized glucose intolerance is common in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Animal and human data suggest insulin resistance is common in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although routine assessment of insulin resistance is difficult, hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) is a sensitive test to detect diabetes mellitus (DM) and those at high risk for DM. We aimed to define the prevalence of elevated HbA(1c) in PAH patients and to correlate HbA(1c) levels with functional assessment.

Methods

HbA(1c) was measured in 41 PAH patients without a diagnosis of DM, along with demographic, functional, and hemodynamic data. Using published criteria, HbA(1c) ≤ 5.9% defined normal, 6.0% to 6.4% was glucose intolerance, and ≥ 6.5% was DM.

Results

Twenty-three patients (56%) had HbA(1c) ≥ 6.0%, and 6 (15%) had unrecognized DM (HbA(1c) ≥ 6.5%). Age and

SUBMITTER: Pugh ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3129440 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature