Longitudinal associations of the alternative healthy eating index with coronary artery calcification and pericardial adiposity in US adults with and without type 1 diabetes.

Long-term associations between the alternative healthy eating index (AHEI) score and two predictive indicators for CVD, pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) volume, are lacking. Our study aims to investigate the longitudinal associations of the AHEI score with measures of CAC and PAT in adults with and without type 1 diabetes (T1D). The prospective Coronary Artery Calcification in T1D (CACTI) study included 652 people with T1D and 764 people without diabetes (non-DM) (19–56 years old) and was conducted in 2000–2002, 2003–2004, and 2006–2007. At each visit, food frequency questionnaires were collected and PAT and CAC were measured using electron beam computed tomography. Two variables were used for CAC analyses: a continuous variable for the square-root tranformed volume (SRV) for each visit and a second variable identified CAC progression from baseline to visit 3. Mixed effect models and a logistic regression model were used to conduct statistical analyses. A one-point increase in the AHEI score was significantly associated with a −0.12 cm³ (95% CI: −0.17, −0.08; p-value<0.0001) decrease in PAT volume in combined analyses, a −0.16 cm³ (95% CI: −0.22, −0.09; p-value<0.0001) decrease in the non-DM group, a marginally significant −0.07 cm³ (95% CI: −0.14, 0.002; p-value = 0.0571) decrease in the T1D group, and was not associated with either CAC outcome. The AHEI score is inversely associated with PAT; the association revealed greater magnitude of PAT reduction in the non-DM group. The AHEI score did not associate with CAC progression. • AHEI is a common diet quality index to assess CVD risk. • Pericardial adiposity and calcium deposits are independent CVD risks. • Higher AHEI associated with lower pericardial adiposity but not with artery calcium deposits. • These results were observed in adults with and without type 1 diabetes. • Adhering to the AHEI dietary pattern may have a protective effect in CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]