Diabetes and prediabetes duration during adulthood are both independently linked with subclinical atherosclerosis and left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction in middle age, according to a study involving >3,600 individuals. Participants were aged between 18 and 30 years and without diabetes/prediabetes at baseline. Investigators looked at 1) diabetes/prediabetes duration based on 5 exams conducted over 25 years; 2) presence of coronary artery calcified plaque (CAC) via CT at years 15, 20, and 25 visits; and 3) left ventricular structure and function via echocardiogram at year 25 visit. Among the results:

• 13% developed diabetes and 54% prediabetes.
• Average duration was 10.7 and 9.5 years, respectively.
• After adjusting for certain variables, CAC presence was 15% and 7% higher for each 5-year-longer duration of diabetes and prediabetes, respectively.
• Diabetes/prediabetes duration was linked with worse subclinical systolic function and early diastolic relaxation.
• Diabetes duration was linked with a higher diastolic filling pressure.