Key result
Diabetes mellitus is not independently associated with aortic valve calcification on cardiac CT.
Why the study?
Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but its relationship with aortic valve calcification remains unclear.
Does the presence of diabetes mellitus increase the prevalence of aortic valve calcification in older adults undergoing cardiac CT?
Cross-Sectional (n=11,216)
Yes
Does the presence of diabetes mellitus increase the prevalence of aortic valve calcification in older adults undergoing cardiac CT?
In a large propensity-matched cross-sectional analysis, diabetes mellitus was not independently associated with aortic valve calcification on cardiac CT, whereas traditional cardiovascular risk factors (age, male sex, BMI, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, and smoking) were.
Diabetes mellitus was not independently associated with aortic valve calcification; leaves open its role in disease pathogenesis.
Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but its relationship with aortic valve calcification (AVC) remains unclear. Aim The present study aims to investigate whether the presence of DM is associated with a higher prevalence of AVC. Methods This cross-sectional study combines two large multicenter cohorts: the Steno Inten-CT and DANCAVAS studies. The Steno INTEN-CT study is an ongoing randomized controlled trial using cardiac computed tomography (CT) for cardiovascular risk stratification in individuals with DM, aged 55-69 years (men) and 60-74 (women). DANCAVAS trial is a population-based cardiovascular screening study conducted between 2014 and 2019 that enrolled individuals aged 60-74 years. Participants with available AVC scores were included in the present study. Propensity score matching was performed, and AVC was analyzed as binary outcome (0 vs > 0) using logistic regression with clustering by matched pairs. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Results AVC was available in 17,059 participants, and after propensity matching, 5,608 pairs were included in the analysis. Univariate analysis identified age (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.10-1.23, p <0.001), male sex (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.37-1.63, p <0.001), BMI (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04, p <0.001), hypertension (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.54-1.80, < 0.001) LDL cholesterol (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 – 1.10, p = 0.015), smoking (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.22-1.43, p <0.001), impaired renal function (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.36, p = 0.008), and statin use (OR 1.48, 95 % CI 1.37-1.59, p < 0.001) as associated with the presence of AVC. However, DM did not associate with the presence of AVC (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.99, p = 0.046). In a multivariable model, age, sex, BMI, hypertension, LDL, and smoking status remained independently associated with AVC, whereas DM was not (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.95–1.14; p = 0.395). Conclusion In this population-based study, DM was not associated with AVC. Instead, traditional cardiovascular risk factors were associated with increased odds of having AVC.
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Haujir et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Aortic valve calcification and diabetes mellitus (n=11,216). Diabetes mellitus vs. Individuals without diabetes mellitus was evaluated on Presence of aortic valve calcification (AVC score > 0) (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.95-1.14, p=0.395). Diabetes mellitus was not independently associated with the presence of aortic valve calcification on cardiac CT (multivariable OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.95-1.14; P=0.395).
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