PD609 - ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK PROFILES IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

PD609

ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK PROFILES IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

R. Santic^1,*, T. Ticinovic Kurir^1,2, I. Lerotic², N. Pavlovic¹, M. Krnic^1,2, M. Kumric¹, J. Bozic¹

¹Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split, School of Medicine, ²Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia

Rationale: The Mediterranean diet is recommended for cardiometabolic risk reduction in type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet its real-world adherence and association with cardiovascular risk markers remain unclear. This study evaluated Mediterranean diet adherence and its relationship with cardiometabolic parameters in a Dalmatian island population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 participants (75 T2D, 75 controls). Adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Dietary Serving Score (MDSS). Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory parameters were collected. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) were measured non-invasively using skin autofluorescence (AGE Reader). This study was funded within the framework of the DIAMICROBIOM project (IP-2025-02-6586)

Results: Adequate Mediterranean diet adherence was low (10.7% T2D vs 18.7% controls). T2D patients had higher AGE levels than controls [3.2 (2.7–3.8) vs 2.7 (2.5–3.2), p<0.001], independent of HbA1c. MDSS score showed a moderate negative correlation with AGE levels (r=−0.347; p<0.001).

Conclusion: Mediterranean diet adherence was suboptimal and associated with lower AGE levels. Higher AGEs in T2D, independent of HbA1c, highlight additional cardiometabolic risk pathways and support dietary interventions in clinical practice.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared