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Parathyroid hormone associated with arterial stiffness in type 1 diabetes
In adults with type 1 diabetes, a higher level of parathyroid hormone is associated with increased arterial stiffness, a strong predictor of mortality and cardiovascular disease, study findings show.
“In the search for a link between bone and vascular disease, we demonstrated an association between arterial stiffness and bone mineral density, clinical bone markers and markers of mineral metabolism,” Emilie H. Zobel, MD, a clinical research scientist at the Steno Diabetes Center in Gentofte, Denmark, and colleagues wrote. “These associations lost significance after comprehensive adjustment, except for the relationship between higher [parathyroid hormone] and increased arterial stiffness.”
Zobel and colleagues analyzed data from 347 adults with type 1 diabetes, recruited from the Steno Diabetes Center (47% women; mean age, 56 years). The cohort underwent DXA measurements at the femoral neck and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity to evaluate arterial stiffness; bone markers were also analyzed. Mean carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was 11 m/s; mean parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was 39.1 pg/mL.
Researchers found that PTH and sclerostin were associated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity after adjusting for age, sex and mean arterial pressure (P .027). After further adjustment for risk factors including HbA1c, total cholesterol, BMI and antihypertensive treatment, the association persisted only for PTH.
“Our findings highlight PTH as a potential mediator for the cross-talk between bone and vascular disease” the researchers wrote. “However, our findings need validation, and prospective studies investigating the relationship between PTH and [CV] outcome in type 1 diabetes are warranted.”
The researchers noted that therapies known to reduce PTH levels could potentially reduce CV risk in adults with type 1 diabetes and elevated PTH levels. – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.