Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of disability and mortality among type 2 diabetic patients. This study evaluates how global diet quality is related to cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 283 diabetic patients in Tehran, Iran. The Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) was used to evaluate diet quality. A reliable and valid semi-quantitative food questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. The anthropometric indices (a body roundness index (BRI), body shape index (ABSI), and abdominal volume index (AVI)), as well as cardiovascular risk factor indicators (Lipid accumulation of plasma (LAP), castelli risk index-1 (CRI-I) and 2 (CRI-II), cholesterol index (CI) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP)), was calculated. Moreover, a short form of PAID scale was used to assess the emotional distress aspect of patients. The association of GDQS with anthropometric indices, CVD risk factors and PAID scale was evaluated by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Our results indicate that, after adjusting for potential confounders, individuals in the highest tertile of GDQS had the lower odds ratio of BRI and AVI. Also, the crude model had a negative relationship between more adherence to GDQS and API. No relationship was found between GDQS and the problem areas in diabetic patients (PAID-20). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our findings indicate that more adherence to GDQS reduces the odds of BRI, AVI, and AIP in diabetic patients. Large-scale cohort studies need to be conducted in various regions of Iran, including diabetic patients with different lifestyles, socioeconomic situations, and different components of GDQS.