Associations of dietary patterns and nutrients with coronary artery calcification and pericardial adiposity in a longitudinal study of adults with and without type 1 diabetes

Purpose To examine the associations of dietary patterns and nutrients with coronary artery calcification (CAC) and pericardial adiposity (PAT) in adults with and without type 1 diabetes. Methods We conducted a six-year longitudinal analysis of data from Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes study [ n = 1255; T1D: n = 563; non-DM: n = 692] collected at baseline, year 3 and year 6. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire, a physical examination, and fasting (12 h overnight fast) biochemical analyses. CAC and PAT were measured using electron beam computed tomography. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations of dietary patterns and nutrients with CAC and PAT in models adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risks. Results The ‘starchy veggies, meats and alcohol pattern’ was associated with significantly increased risk of CAC presence in all adjusted models; an increasing trend was observed with CAC progression. Increasing intake of dietary proteins and total fats were also associated with higher risk of the presence and/or progression of CAC in adjusted models (all p