Fig. 2

Incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) according to epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness at systole and the presence of prediabetes. a Among the total population, 153 patients had an EAT < 5 mm with no prediabetes at baseline (Group 1), 38 patients had an EAT ≥ 5 mm with no prediabetes at baseline (Group 2), 90 patients had an EAT < 5 mm with prediabetes at baseline (Group 3), and 40 patients had an EAT ≥ 5 mm with prediabetes at baseline (Group 4). Patients with EAT ≥ 5.0 mm and prediabetes at baseline had the highest incidence of NODM. Post-hoc analysis of NODM incidence showed that there were significant differences between all pairs of groups, except between Group 2 and Group 3 (Group 1 vs. Group 2, P = 0.012; Group 1 vs. Group 3, P = 0.001; Group 1 vs. Group 4, P < 0.001; Group 2 vs. Group 3, P = 0.661; Group 2 vs. Group 4, P < 0.001; Group 3 vs. Group 4, P < 0.001). b Kaplan–Meier survival curve showing an incremental increase in risk for NODM, according to the presence of prediabetes at baseline and EAT thickness