Valvular & structural heart diseaseCross-sectional study
Factors associated with aortic valve calcification in type 2 diabetes—a Steno INTEN-CT substudy
- cross-sectional study
- pre-specified substudy of the multicentre randomized Steno INTEN-CT trial
Authors' conclusion
In individuals with T2D without cardiovascular disease, AVC is prevalent in nearly half of all individuals. Higher AVC was associated with T2D-related comorbidities, but not T2D severity.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals with T2D without ischaemic heart disease, aged 55–69 years (men) or 60–74 years (women), who underwent non-contrast cardiac computed tomography
- Participants
- 4,570 individuals
- Exposure
- Clinical factors associated with AVC
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of AVC > 0
AVC > 0
46%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with higher AVC (multivariable ordered logistic regression)
| Comparison | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|
| age · associated with higher AVC · multivariable ordered logistic regression | OR per SD 1.54 (95% CI 1.43–1.66) | |
| BMI · associated with higher AVC · multivariable ordered logistic regression | OR per SD 1.18 (95% CI 1.11–1.25) | |
| hypertension · associated with higher AVC · multivariable ordered logistic regression | OR 1.21 (95% CI 1.05–1.40) | |
| chronic kidney disease · associated with higher AVC · multivariable ordered logistic regression | OR 1.18 (95% CI 1.03–1.36) | |
| Statin use · associated with higher AVC · multivariable ordered logistic regression | OR 1.50 (95% CI 1.27–1.78) | |
| 0.512Ratio (log scale) |
Higher LDL cholesterol and AVC, by sex
| Comparison | OR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher LDL cholesterol (men) · men | 1.39 (1.24–1.56) | |
| Higher LDL cholesterol (women) · women | 1.16 (1.02–1.31) | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
- Higher LDL cholesterol and AVC, by sex: P for interaction = 0.025
T2D severity (Haemoglobin A1c, T2D duration, and number of antidiabetic drugs)
- not associated with AVC
Characteristics with increasing AVC
- With increasing AVC, patients were older, predominantly males, and with significantly more comorbidities
Original publication
Factors associated with aortic valve calcification in type 2 diabetes—a Steno INTEN-CT substudy. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 15 June 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjci/jeag139
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it