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Short stature predicts beta-cell function, type 2 diabetes, CVD risk in men
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In Finnish men, greater adult height was associated with decreased 2-hour glucose levels and decreased risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to findings from a population-based study.
“Beta-cell dysfunction in shorter subjects could possibly result in higher glucose levels followed by several downstream pathologic effects leading to a greater risk of type 2 diabetes and [CVD],” Jagadish Vangipurapu, PhD, of the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Eastern Finland, and colleagues wrote. “Future mechanistic studies investigating the pancreatic beta-cell function with respect to height might provide further insight into our understanding of complex diseases.”
In a prospective study, Vangipurapu and colleagues analyzed data from 8,746 Finnish men without diabetes at recruitment from the Metabolic Syndrome In Men (METSIM) study (mean age, 57.2 years; mean BMI, 26.8 kg/m²). Within the cohort, 6,298 men participated in the follow-up study (mean follow-up time, 4.6 years); 693 developed type 2 diabetes and 351 were diagnosed with a new CVD event.
Researchers found that baseline height measurement was inversely associated with 2-hour glucose levels measured via oral glucose tolerance test and risk for developing type 2 diabetes (HR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.77-0.9) and CVD (HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.67-0.82) during follow-up. Results persisted after adjustment for other risk factors for type 2 diabetes and CVD. Researchers found no association between height and fasting glucose.
“Levels of 2-hour glucose across the quintiles of height decreased and were lower by 8.5% for the highest quintile compared to that for the lowest quintile,” the researchers wrote. “Insulin secretion index and disposition index increased significantly with increasing height.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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