Common carotid arterial wall thickness in NIDDM subjects

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis.
• Carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) is an established marker for cardiovascular disease risk.
• Previous studies suggest increased IMT in individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if carotid IMT is greater in NIDDM subjects compared to controls.
• To investigate the association between NIDDM, IMT, and carotid atherosclerosis (CA).

Main Methods:

• Fifty-four NIDDM patients and 54 matched controls underwent risk factor assessment and carotid echo-Doppler.
• Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was measured using computer techniques.
• Carotid atherosclerosis (CA), including plaques and stenosis, was evaluated by a blinded reader.

Main Results:

• NIDDM subjects exhibited significantly larger IMT, higher triglycerides, and lower HDL cholesterol than controls.
• IMT showed positive correlations with age and systolic blood pressure, and inverse correlation with HDL cholesterol.
• Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) prevalence was 46% in NIDDM subjects versus 18% in controls; IMT was the sole significant predictor of CA.

Conclusions:

• Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is significantly enlarged in individuals with NIDDM.
• Elevated IMT in NIDDM patients is associated with carotid plaques and/or stenosis.
• IMT measurement may be valuable for early detection of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries of NIDDM patients.