Factors Associated with High-sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: The blood concentration of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is an established, useful biomarker for evaluating the pathogenesis of heart failure and predicting cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that are potentially associated with elevated blood hs-cTnT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (N=280, 111 men and 169 women; mean ± SD age: 71±9 years) with no history of cardiovascular events were enrolled. Relationships between hs-cTnT level and various clinical parameters were examined. RESULTS: Hs-cTnT was detected in 244 (87.1%) patients. There were no significant relationships between hs-cTnT and fasting blood glucose levels or insulin resistance. hs-cTnT was significantly correlated with advanced glycation end-product levels at the skin (r=0.23, p<0.001), blood concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide (r=0.23, p<0.001), reactive oxygen metabolites as markers of oxidative stress (r=0.28, p<0.001), and the augmentation index at the radial artery as marker of arterial reflection (r=0.31, p<0.001). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis revealed that these factors were also selected as independent variables, with hs-cTnT as a subordinate factor. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that novel cardiovascular risk factors including advanced glycation end-products, in vivo oxidative stress, and high arterial reflection are closely associated with high concentrations of blood hs-cTnT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.