Defining Cardiometabolic Conditions in Diabetics

Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, or a self-reported previous diagnosis of hypertension. Dyslipidemia was defined as total cholesterol ≥ 6.22 mmol/L (240 mg/dL), triglycerides ≥ 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), LDL ≥ 4.14 mmol/L (160 mg/dL), HDL < 1.04 mmol/L (40 mg/dL), or a self-reported previous diagnosis of hyperlipidemia by a physician, according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III [27 (link)].
The CVD outcome was defined as a previous diagnosis of coronary heart disease, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease and was recorded in the registration platform [28 (link)].
The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation for “Asian origin” [29 (link)]. The definition of DKD was ACR higher than 30 mg/g or eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m², as suggested by the statement from the American Diabetes Association [30 (link)].
Participants without DR were defined as having no abnormalities in fundus photographs; participants with DR included individuals with intraretinal microaneurysms, hemorrhages, venous beading, prominent microvascular abnormalities, neovascularization or vitreous/preretinal hemorrhages in accordance with the Global Diabetic Retinopathy Project Group [31 (link)].