Insulinemic and Inflammatory Dietary Patterns Show Enhanced Predictive Potential for Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Postmenopausal Women

• Authors: Qi Jin, Ohio State University; Ni Shi, Ohio State University; Desmond Aroke, Ohio State University; Dong Hoon Lee, Harvard University; Joshua J. Joseph, Ohio State University; Macarius Donneyong, Ohio State University; Darwin L. Conwell, Ohio State University; Phil A. Hart, Ohio State University; Xuehong Zhang, Harvard University; Steven K. Clinton, Ohio State University; Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate, Ohio State University; Theodore M. Brasky, Ohio State University; Rebecca Jackson, Ohio State University; Lesley F. Tinker, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Simin Liu, Brown University; Lawrence Phillips, Emory University; Aladdin H. Shadyab, University of California San Diego; Rami Nassir, Umm Al Qura University; Wei Bao, University of Iowa; Fred K. Tabung, Ohio State University
• Journal Title: Diabetes Care
• Volume: Volume 44, Number 3
• Publisher: American Diabetes Association | 2021-03-01, Pages 707-714
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-2216
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Nutrition; Health Sciences, Pharmacology
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Glycemic load; Metaanalysis; Validation; Mellitus; Weight; Cancer; Index

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH) and empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) scores assess the insulinemic and inflammatory potentials of habitual dietary patterns, irrespective of the macronutrient content, and are based on plasma insulin response or inflammatory biomarkers, respectively. The glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) assess postprandial glycemic potential based on dietary carbohydrate content. We tested the hypothesis that dietary patterns promoting hyperinsulinemia, chronic inflammation, or hyperglycemia may influence type 2 diabetes risk. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We calculated dietary scores from baseline (1993–1998) food frequency questionnaires among 73,495 postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative, followed through March 2019. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for type 2 diabetes risk. We also estimated multivariable-adjusted absolute risk of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS During a median 13.3 years of follow-up, 11,009 incident cases of type 2 diabetes were diagnosed. Participants consuming the most hyperinsulinemic or proinflammatory dietary patterns experienced greater risk of type 2 diabetes; HRs (95% CI) comparing highest to lowest dietary index quintiles were EDIH 1.49 (1.32–1.68; Ptrend < 0.0001) and EDIP 1.45 (1.29–1.63; Ptrend < 0.0001). The absolute excess incidence for the same comparison was 220 (EDIH) and 271 (EDIP) cases per 100,000 person-years. GI and GL were not associated with type 2 diabetes risk: GI 0.99 (0.88–1.12; Ptrend = 0.46) and GL 1.01 (0.89–1.16; Ptrend = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS Our findings in this diverse cohort of postmenopausal women suggest that lowering the insulinemic and inflammatory potentials of the diet may be more effective in preventing type 2 diabetes than focusing on glycemic foods.