Aim: To investigate the association of remnant cholesterol (RC) with future type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk, and to assess the underlying impact of some recognized risk factors on it.
Methods: A total of 11468 nondiabetic adults in rural China were recruited in 2007-2008 and followed up in 2013-2014. Logistic regression was used to assess the risk of incident T2DM by quartiles of baseline RC, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Association of the combinations of RC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with T2DM risk were further evaluated.
Results: Multivariable adjusted OR (95% CI) for incident T2DM associated with quartile 4 versus quartile 1 of RC was 2.72 (2.05-3.62). Per 1-standard deviation (SD) increases in RC levels was associated with a 34% higher T2DM risk. However, gender modified the specific association (Pinteraction < 0.05), with the association stronger among females. When combining the low LDL-C and low RC groups as reference, individuals with RC levels ≥ 0.56 mmol/L had more than a 2-fold T2DM risk, regardless of LDL-C level.
Conclusions: Elevated RC levels increase T2DM risk in rural Chinese populations. In those who cannot control their risk by lowering LDL-C levels, the goal of lipid-lowering therapy can be shifted to RC.
Keywords: Prospective cohort study; Remnant cholesterol; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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