Gender-based divergence of cardiovascular outcomes in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes: results from the DIAD study

Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2012 Apr;9(2):124-30. doi: 10.1177/1479164111431470. Epub 2012 Jan 6.

Abstract

Gender differences in cardiovascular outcomes were compared in asymptomatic men and women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the Detection of Ischemia in Asymptomatic Diabetics (DIAD) study. Of 1123 participants, 290 men and 271 women were randomised to screening with stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI); 311 men and 251 women were randomised to no screening. Follow-up was 4.8±0.9 years for the occurrence of cardiac events (CE; cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction). The frequency of abnormal screening was similar in men (24%) and women (19%), (p=0.2), although women trended to have smaller MPI abnormalities. CE rates were lower in women than men (1.7% vs. 3.8%, p=0.04). No CEs occurred in 17 high-risk (UKPDS risk engine) women, whereas 14 (11.2%) occurred in 125 high-risk men. Asymptomatic women with T2DM have significantly better cardiac outcomes than their male counterparts and represent a subgroup for which screening for coronary artery disease does not appear warranted.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Diabetes Complications / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Complications / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Complications / mortality
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Time Factors
  • United States / epidemiology