Asymptomatic Hyperglycemia in Coronary Heart Disease: Frequency and Associated Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels in the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention (BIP) Register

Background: The lipid profile of patients with type-II diabetes is characterized by low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, and increased levels of lipoprotein (a), all of which may affect the prognosis in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic hyperglycemia and the associated lipid profile in a large group of patients with documented coronary heart disease.Methods: From February 1990 to October 1992, 14 326 patients aged 45–74 years with documented coronary heart disease (a history of myocardial infarction or angina pectoris) were screened for inclusion in a secondary prevention study using bezafibrate retard. All screened patients underwent a medical examination and a blood test after fasting for 14 h. Asymptomatic hyperglycemia was defined as a fasting blood glucose level of 140 mg/dl or above in patients with no previous history of diabetes mellitus.Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic hypergl...