HbA1c and Heart Failure Risk Among Diabetic Patients

Context: Diabetes is an independent risk factor for heart failure (HF); however, it is not known whether tight glycemic control can reduce the occurrence of HF among diabetic patients. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the race-specific association of different levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with the risk of HF among patients with diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants: We prospectively investigated the race-specific association of different levels of HbA1c at baseline and during an average of 6.5 years of follow-up with incident HF risk among 17 181 African American and 12 446 white diabetic patients within the Louisiana State University Hospital System. Main Outcome Measure: We measured incident HF until May 31, 2012. Results: During follow-up, 5089 HF incident cases were identified. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of HF associated with different levels of HbA1c at baseline ( 40%). Conclusions: The current study suggests a graded positive association of HbA1c with the risk of HF among both African American and white patients with diabetes.