Publication Description
Aims
(1) To describe changes in arterial stiffness and heart rate variability (HRV) over a 5-year interval, (2) examine changes by sex and race–ethnicity, and (3) evaluate the risk factors associated with the longitudinal changes in arterial stiffness and HRV.
Methods
Participants with youth-onset type 2 diabetes enrolled in the observational follow-up phase of the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) clinical trial had arterial stiffness [(pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, brachial distensibility] and six indices of HRV measured 5 years apart. Multivariable linear regression models assessed risk factors associated with changes in the outcomes over time.
Results
At initial vascular assessment, the 304 participants were a mean age of 21 years, 34% male, and had a mean diabetes duration of 8 years. In more than half the cohort pulse wave velocity, augmentation index and HRV increased over 5 years (
p
<0.01). Brachial distensibility did not change. There were no differences in the 5-year change by race/ethnicity except for a single HRV measure, where non-Hispanic Blacks had greater worsening of parasympathetic function compared to non-Hispanic Whites,
p
= 0.008. Blood pressure was related to greater worsening in augmentation index and pulse wave velocity. Higher hemoglobin A1c over time was related to worsening pulse wave velocity and HRV.
Conclusions
Arterial stiffness and HRV worsened over 5 years. Blood pressure and glycemic control may be potential targets to influence adverse changes in arterial stiffness and HRV in young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00081328