Table 1. Demographic features of the participants.
| Parameters | Lowest PPGE tertile (n = 126) | Middle PPGE tertile (n = 126) | Highest PPGE tertile (n = 127) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 62.0 ± 11.6 | 61.0 ± 12.9 | 59.7 ± 13.4 | 0.368 |
| Sex (Female) | 74 (58.7%) | 58 (46.0%) | 69 (54.3%) | 0.122 |
| Serum HbA1c (%) | 8.12 ± 1.88 | 8.56 ± 2.21 | 8.46 ± 2.05 | 0.201 |
| Diabetes duration (years) | 5.8 ± 3.0 | 5.1 ± 3.5 | 6.0 ± 3.2 | 0.208 |
| Proportions with metabolic syndrome (number, %) | 19 (15.1%) | 22 (17.4%) | 23 (18.1%) | 0.522 |
| Waist circumference (cm) | 61.1 ± 11.7 | 62.6 ± 13.5 | 61.0 ± 11.9 | 0.532 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 26.2 ± 4.28 | 26.3 ± 4.74 | 26.0 ± 4.72 | 0.889 |
| SBP (mm Hg) | 131 ± 16.4 | 131 ± 15.8 | 133 ± 16.8 | 0.628 |
| DBP (mm Hg) | 78.3 ± 11.6 | 79.6 ± 10.1 | 78.6 ± 10.7 | 0.596 |
| Serum creatinine (mg/dL) | 0.826 ± 0.233 | 0.876 ± 0.259 | 0.839 ± 0.224 | 0.232 |
| Serum ALT (U/L) | 33.9 ± 21.7 | 35.8 ± 26.0 | 35.7 ± 27.9 | 0.788 |
| FPG (mg/dL) | 122 ± 22.0 | 128 ± 32.1 | 130 ± 34.3 | 0.086 |
| 2-hour PPG (mg/dL) | 134 ± 22.7 | 169 ± 35.8 | 242 ± 63.7 | <0.001 |
| PPGE (mg/dL) | 11.8 ± 6.04 | 40.9± 11.1a | 111.8±55.3a,b | <0.001 |
| Use of medications | ||||
| Rosuvastatin 10 mg | 48 (38.1%) | 42 (33.3%) | 37 (29.1%) | 0.578 |
| Atorvastatin 20 mg | 52 (41.3%) | 60 (47.6%) | 61 (48.0%) | 0.506 |
| Pravastatin 40 mg | 26 (20.6%) | 24 (19.0%) | 29 (22.8%) | 0.888 |
| Metformin dose (mg per day) | 1310 ± 468 | 1313 ± 472 | 1374 ± 504 | 0.491 |
| Plasma total cholesterol (mg/dL) | 175.8 ± 37.9 | 189.5 ± 39.6a | 202.7 ± 36.0a,b | < 0.001 |
| Plasma TG (mg/dL) | 156.6 ± 97.5 | 149.1 ± 71.4 | 142.9 ± 72.9 | 0.408 |
| Plasma HDL-C (mg/dL) | 45.0 ± 11.64 | 44.9 ± 11.3 | 47.8 ± 12.3 | 0.080 |
| Plasma LDL-C (mg/dL) | 99.5 ± 29.4 | 114.5±33.4a | 126.7±28.2a,b | <0.001 |
| Plasma non-HDL-C (mg/dL) | 130.8 ± 35.5 | 144.5 ± 37.3 a | 155.1 ± 33.4 a,b | <0.001 |
| Plasma remnant cholesterol (mg/dL) | 31.2 ± 19.5 | 29.6 ± 14.2 | 28.8 ± 14.7 | 0.462 |
| Serum hs-CRP (mg/dL) | 0.2 ± 0.13 | 0.25 ± 0.19 | 0.28 ± 0.2a | 0.0022 |
Data are expressed as means with standard deviation of the mean for continuous variables and number (%) for categorical variables. Variables are compared between groups using one-way analysis of variance for continuous variables and Pearson’s χ2-test for categorical variables. Postprandial plasma glucose excursion is defined as the difference between 2-hour postprandial and fasting plasma glucose levels. ALT: Alanine aminotransferase, BMI: Body mass index, FPG: Fasting plasma glucose, PPG: Postprandial plasma glucose, SBP: Systolic blood pressure, DBP: Diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c: Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, PPGE: Postprandial plasma glucose excursion, mg/dL: Milligrams per deciliter, mm Hg: Millimeters of mercury, kg: Kilograms, m: Meters, mg: Milligrams, hs-CRP: High sensitivity C reactive protein, TG: Triglycerides, HDL-C: High density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C: Low density lipoprotein cholesterol.