Basal Glucose and HbA1c Associated with Carotid Plaques in non-Diabetics: an Approach with CHAID Trees

Background: Carotid plaques are significant markers of risk for stroke. Objective: The aim of this research was to analyze the association between baseline glycemia and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with the presence of carotid plaques in non-diabetic adults. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study using a secondary database. The variables considered included carotid plaque score, baseline glycemia and HbA1c. The CHAID decision tree was utilized in this analysis. Results: The CHAID tree classified baseline blood glucose levels > 104 mg/dL along with HbA1c values > 6%. as the most decisive variables associated with the presence of carotid plaques at risk for stroke. The odds of presenting with a high-risk carotid plaque score was 3.69 times higher for these patients when compared to those with lower glucose and HbA1c levels (OR 3.69; 95% CI, 2.59-5.28). Patients with the aforementioned blood glucose levels and HbA1c had greater probability of a true positive result for high-risk carotid plaque (LR+ 3.29; 95% CI, 2.38-4.54). In these patients, the median carotid plaque score was 1.60 compared to 0.25 in those with lower values (p=0.001). The median number of plaques was also greater (1.20 vs. 0.30; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Baseline blood glucose levels >104 mg/dL and HbA1c >6% were associated with the presence of high-risk carotid plaques in non-diabetic patients.