Key Points
- To assess whether impaired fasting glucose, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease risk factors are associated with prolonged heart rate-corrected QT interval duration in a nationally representative population.
- Analyzed cross-sectional data from 5,833 adults aged 40–90 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988–1994).
- Evaluated the association between glycemic status, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and prolonged QTc (defined as ≥0.440 s) using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, race, gender, education, and heart rate.
- Prolonged QTc was present in 22.0% of individuals with normal glucose tolerance, 29.9% with impaired fasting glucose, and 42.2% with diabetes mellitus.
- Following multivariable adjustment, the odds ratio for prolonged QTc was 1.2 (95% CI, 0.7–2.0) for impaired fasting glucose and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1–2.3) for diabetes mellitus compared to normal glucose tolerance.
- Individuals with diabetes and two or more additional cardiovascular disease risk factors exhibited an adjusted odds ratio of 2.3 (95% CI, 1.3–4.0) for prolonged QTc compared to individuals with normal glucose tolerance and no risk factors.
Structured PICO
Does impaired fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus increase the likelihood of prolonged QTc in the general adult population?
PPopulation5833 adults aged 40-90 years from the general population (NHANES III 1988-1994)
IInterventionImpaired fasting glucose (IFG) and diabetes mellitus
CComparatorNormal glucose tolerance (NGT)
OOutcomeProlonged QTc (≥ 0.440 s)surrogate
Diabetes mellitus and multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors are independently associated with prolonged QTc in the general population, suggesting an increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias.