Age-specific difference in the association between prediabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis: an analysis of a chinese prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Prediabetes is an important risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the evidence of prediabetes as a cardiovascular risk factor is mainly derived from middle-aged adults. Recently, multiple studies supported that prediabetes in older adults would not lead to higher risk of CVD or mortality. We aimed to investigate the age-specific difference in the association between prediabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis in a Chinese prospective cohort study. Methods We included 4739 individuals aged ≥ 40 years and without diagnosed diabetes or CVD history, and divided them into middle-aged adults (age