Association between impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and acute myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the most common cause of mortality affects the majority of adults. In addition to the risk associated with overt diabetes there appears to be a graded rise in cardiovascular risk with increasing degrees of glucose intolerance. This study was done to evaluate the association between acute myocardial infarction (MI) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). In this case-control study 100 men and women were taken part in two equal groups. All participants of case group manifested nonfatal MI, while the participants of control group had no history of MI. The medical history and physical examination for evaluating diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dislipidemia history of cigarette smoking and related laboratory data were gathered. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square, OR, CI. Mean age in control and case group was 54.9±9.82 and 53.1± 8.1, respectively. Twenty patients (42.5%) in case group and 8 patients (16.3%) in control group had impaired glucose tolerance. The results revealed statistically a significant difference between two groups (P=0.005, OR=3.72, CI=1.464-8.469). No significant difference was seen in sex, previous history of MI and other risk factors between the two groups prior to the study. Acute inferior MI in 22 patients was the most common type of MI (44%). Anterior MI (42%), lateral MI (12%) and posterior MI (2%) were other common types of MI. IGT is considered as a risk factor for MI. In conclusion, control of IGT for the patient having the risk factor for coronary artery disease is recommended.