Scientists have used protein biomarkers to help identify people with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of cardiovascular outcomes and death.

The researchers studied the Biobank serum of nearly 5,000 people who took part in the ELIXA (Evaluation of Lixisenatide in Acute Coronary Syndrome) trial to assess the relationship between protein biomarkers and cardiovascular problems.

According to the findings, forward-selection Cox models identified independent protein risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and death.

The researchers found that NT-proBNP and osteoprotegerin predicted both outcomes.

In addition, trefoil factor 3 predicted MACE, and angiopoietin-2 predicted death (C = 0.70 and 0.79, respectively, compared with 0.63 and 0.66 for clinical variables alone).

These proteins had all previously been identified and validated. Notably, C statistics for just NT-proBNP plus clinical risk factors were 0.69 and 0.78 for MACE and death, respectively.

The scientists concluded that NT-proBNP and other proteins independently predict cardiovascular outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes following acute coronary syndrome. Adding other biomarkers only marginally increased NT-proBNP’s prognostic value.

To access the full study, click here.