The Relationship between Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype and Early Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW) phenotype and early diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 538 type 2 diabetes patients in Qinhuangdao. The HW phenotype was defined as serum triglyceride concentrations ≥1.7 mmol/L and waist circumference ≥90 cm (males) and ≥85 cm (females). Results: The prevalence of the HW phenotype was 34.9%. The prevalence of early diabetic nephropathy was 10.6% in type 2 diabetes patients with normal waist circumference and triglycerides and 24.5% in type 2 diabetes patients with HW phenotype. After adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, hypertension, history of diabetes, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, the prevalence of early diabetic nephropathy among type 2 diabetes patients with the HW phenotype was 2.81 (95% confidence interval 1.36-5.80, p = 0.005) times higher than that among type 2 diabetes patients with normal waist circumference and triglycerides. Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between HW phenotype and early diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.