Cardiometabolic risk factors, peripheral arterial tonometry and metformin in adults with type 1 diabetes participating in the REducing with MetfOrmin Vascular Adverse Lesions trial

BackgroundPeripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) provides non-invasive measures of vascular health. Beneficial effects of metformin on vascular function have been reported in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the REducing with MetfOrmin Vascular Adverse Lesions (REMOVAL) trial in adults with T1D and high cardiovascular risk, we examined: (i) the extent to which routinely-measured cardiometabolic risk factors explain variance in baseline PAT; and (ii) the effects of metformin on PAT measures.MethodsCross-sectional univariable and multivariable analyses of baseline reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) and augmentation index (AI) (EndoPAT & REG; (Itamar, Israel); and analysis of 36-months metformin versus placebo on vascular tonometry.ResultsIn 364 adults ((mean & PLUSMN; SD) age 55.2 & PLUSMN; 8.5 years, T1D 34.0 & PLUSMN; 10.6 years, HbA1c 64.5 & PLUSMN; 9.0 mmol/mol (8.1 & PLUSMN; 0.8%)), RHI was 2.26 & PLUSMN; 0.74 and AI was 15.9 & PLUSMN; 19.2%. In an exhaustive search, independent associates of (i) RHI were smoking, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and vitamin B12 (adjusted R-2 = 0.11) and (ii) AI were male sex, pulse pressure, heart rate and waist circumference (adjusted R-2 = 0.31). Metformin did not significantly affect RHI or AI.ConclusionCardiometabolic risk factors explained only a modest proportion of variance in PAT measures of vascular health in adults with T1D and high cardiovascular risk. PAT measures were not affected by metformin.