Key result
Obesity in diabetic patients is linked to ~33% less extensive CAD versus non-obese patients.
Why the study?
Although obesity is an established CAD risk factor, studies have paradoxically reported lower cardiovascular mortality in obese individuals, prompting evaluation of whether this paradox affects CAD extent in diabetic patients.
Does obesity (BMI ≥30) reduce the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (SYNTAX score) in diabetic patients compared to non-obese diabetic patients?
Observational (n=53)
Does obesity (BMI ≥30) reduce the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (SYNTAX score) in diabetic patients compared to non-obese diabetic patients?
Absolute Event Rate: 12.67% vs 19%
p-value: p=0.046
Obese diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography have significantly lower SYNTAX scores than non-obese diabetic patients, supporting the concept of an obesity paradox in CAD severity.
May support obesity paradox in diabetics; leaves open confounding and requires prospective validation.
Objective: Although obesity is a well-established risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), several recent studies have paradoxically demonstrated lower cardiovascular mortality rates among obese individuals. This study aimed to compare the extent of CAD between obese and non-obese diabetic patients and evaluate the presence of the obesity paradox in this population.Materials and Methods: A total of 1,557 patients who underwent coronary angiography were retrospectively screened. Fifty-three diabetic patients were included and divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI): ≥30 and <30. The groups were matched for age, gender, and other cardiovascular risk factors. The extent of CAD was assessed using the SYNTAX score. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups (BMI ≥30 vs. <30) regarding age, gender, HbA1c, LDL, total cholesterol, creatinine levels, hypertension, family history, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease, and smoking status. The SYNTAX score was significantly lower in the obese group (12.67±9.68) compared to the non-obese group (19±12.68) (p=0.046).Conclusion: Among diabetic patients, those who were obese had significantly less extensive and severe CAD compared to their non-obese counterparts, supporting the concept of the obesity paradox.
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Yavuz et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease (n=53). Obesity (BMI ≥30) vs. Non-obese (BMI <30) was evaluated on Extent of CAD assessed using the SYNTAX score (p=0.046). Obesity (BMI ≥30) in diabetic patients was associated with significantly less extensive coronary artery disease compared to non-obese patients (mean SYNTAX score 12.67 vs 19; p=0.046).
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