J-curve relationship between long term glycemic control and mortality in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Intensive glycemic control is generally recommended for diabetic patients to reduce complications. However, the role of glycemic control in the mortality in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remained unclear. Methods We selected diabetic patients who measured HbA1c more than 3 times after AMI among 10,719 patients enrolled in the multicenter AMI registry. Patients (n = 1384) were categorized into five groups: according to mean HbA1c level: <= 6.5%, > 6.5 to <= 7.0%, > 7.0 to <= 7.5%, > 7.5 to <= 8.0% and > 8.0%. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results During a median follow-up of 6.2 years, the patients with a mean HbA1c of 6.5 to 7.0% had the lowest all-cause mortality. Compared to patients with mean HbA1c of 6.5 to 7.0%, the risk of all-cause mortality increased in subjects with mean HbA1c <= 6.5% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-3.95) and in those with mean HbA1c > 8.0% (adjusted HR 3.35, 95% CI 1.78-6.29). In the subgroup analysis by age, the J-curve relationship between mean HbA1c and all-cause mortality was accentuated in elderly patients (age >= 65 years), while there was no difference in all-cause mortality across the HbA1c groups in younger patients (age < 65 years). Conclusions The less strict glycemic control in diabetic patients with AMI would be optimal for preventing mortality, especially in elderly patients.

Automated summary

The study found that diabetic patients with AMI who had a mean HbA1c of 6.5 to 7.0% had the lowest all-cause mortality. In patients aged 65 and older, there was a J-curve relationship between mean HbA1c and all-cause mortality, suggesting that less strict glycemic control may be more optimal for preventing mortality in this group of patients.