Relationship of impaired glucose tolerance to left ventricular structure and function: The Strong Heart Study

Background We have identified increased left ventricular (LV) mass, wall thickness, relative wall thickness, and reduced systolic function in diabetic individuals after adjusting for blood pressure and body mass index. However, the cardiovascular correlates of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a precursor of diabetes, are unknown. Methods We compared LV measurements between 457 American Indian participants in the Strong Heart Study with IGT (34% men) by World Health Organization criteria and 888 participants (49% men) with normal glucose tolerance. Results Participants with IGT were older (60 vs 59 years, P < .01), more overweight (body mass index, 32 ± 6 vs 29 ± 5 g/m2), and had higher systolic blood pressure (129 ± 20 vs 124 ± 18 mm Hg, P < .001) and heart rate (67 ± 10 vs 66 ± 11 beats/min, P = .011). In univariate analyses, women but not men with IGT had higher LV mass (mean, 150 vs 138 g, P < .001) and cardiac index (2.6 vs 2.5 L/min/m2, P < .05). LV wall thicknesses and relative wall thickness were greater in women and men with IGT. Regression analysis, adjusting for multiple covariates in the entire study population, identified independent associations of IGT with higher LV relative wall thicknesses, LV mass/height2.7, and cardiac output/height1.83. Conclusions IGT is associated with increased LV wall thickness, mass, and cardiac output independent of effects of relevant covariates. (Am Heart J 2001;141:992-8.)