Implications of diabetes in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events.
BACKGROUND
There are limited data describing the presenting characteristics, management, and outcomes of diabetic and nondiabetic patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).


OBJECTIVE
To examine differences in these factors, patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, and unstable angina were enrolled in a large multinational coronary disease registry.


METHODS
The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events is a prospective observational study of patients hospitalized with an ACS at 94 hospitals in 14 countries. The study sample consisted of 5403 patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, 4725 with non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, and 5988 with unstable angina.


RESULTS
Approximately 1 in 4 patients presented to participating hospitals with a history of diabetes. Patients with diabetes were older, more often women, with a greater prevalence of comorbidities, and they were less likely to be treated with effective cardiac therapies than nondiabetic patients. Patients with diabetes who developed an ACS were at increased risk for each hospital outcome examined including heart failure, renal failure, cardiogenic shock, and death. These differences remained after adjustment for potentially confounding prognostic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
A considerable proportion of patients with an ACS has diabetes and is at increased risk for adverse outcomes compared with patients without diabetes. There are certain proven therapeutic strategies that remain underused in the diabetic population. A more widespread awareness of this increased risk and a more diligent use of proven cardiac treatment approaches are indicated for patients with diabetes who develop an ACS.
Franklin
Kristen
K
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655, USA. franklik@ummhc.org
Goldberg
Robert J
RJ
Spencer
Frederick
F
Klein
Werner
W
Budaj
Andrzej
A
Brieger
David
D
Marre
Michel
M
Steg
Philippe Gabriel
PG
Gowda
Neelam
N
Gore
Joel M
JM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000569:Americas / Q000453:epidemiology; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers