Association of adiponectin and resistin with cardiovascular events in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes: The Korean atherosclerosis study (KAS): A 42-month prospective study

Adiponectin and resistin are proteins that affect insulin resistance and atherosclerosis significantly. We investigated adiponectin and resistin concentrations as predictors of cardiovascular events in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. The study in 2001 comprised 343 unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes (65 ± 9.2 years old). They were followed up for 42 months. The baseline duration of diabetes, smoking status and history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were recorded. BMI, blood pressures, HbA1c, lipid profiles, ECG, creatinine and urine microalbumin were measured. Adiponectin and resistin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The primary endpoint was defined as one of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarct, CABG, stroke, unstable angina or overt nephropathy. Thirty-eight patients (11.1%) experienced primary endpoint during the follow-up. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure and lipid status, participants in the lowest quartile of adiponectin levels compared with the highest had significantly increased risk of primary endpoint (relative risk = 3.03; 95% CI 1.09–8.41; p = 0.034). In contrast, resistin level had no influence on the risk of primary endpoint. A low level of adiponectin, not resistin, was a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular events in these Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.