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No correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and long-term glycemic control in individuals with type 1

Jussi Inkeri1,2,3,4, Valma Harjutsalo2,4,5, Juha Martola1,6

  • 1Radiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Acta Diabetologica
|December 10, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Long-term blood glucose control, measured by HbA1c, did not correlate with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This suggests glycemic control may not significantly impact early atherosclerosis development in T1D patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Diabetes Research

Background:

  • Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with an increased risk of CVD.
  • The relationship between long-term glycemic control and subclinical atherosclerosis in T1D requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between long-term blood glucose control and CIMT in individuals with T1D.
  • To determine if mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) over ten years correlates with CIMT in T1D.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional retrospective sub-study of 508 individuals with T1D from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study.
  • Retrospective collection of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) data over ten years (HbA1c-mean_overall).
  • Clinical examination, biochemical sampling, and ultrasound of the common carotid arteries to measure CIMT.

Main Results:

  • No significant correlation was found between CIMT and HbA1c at the study visit (p=0.228) or HbA1c-mean_overall (p=0.063).
  • Multivariable regression analysis indicated only age was significantly associated with CIMT (p<0.001).
  • Analysis of CIMT quartiles showed no correlation with long-term glucose control (p=0.730).

Conclusions:

  • Long-term glycemic control, as assessed by HbA1c, is not significantly correlated with CIMT in individuals with T1D.
  • These findings suggest that glycemic control may not be a primary driver of early macrovascular atherosclerosis development in T1D.
  • Further research is needed to identify other factors influencing CVD risk in T1D.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseCarotid intima-media thicknessGlycemic controlType 1 diabetes

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