Carotid intima-media thickness as a predictor of atherosclerosis in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects - A study from tertiary care hospital in coastal city of South India

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Atherosclerosis typically occurs over a period of many years, usually many decades. After a generally prolonged “silent” period, atherosclerosis may become clinically manifest. Evaluation of intimal medial thickness is considered as surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. B-mode ultrasound was a suitable non-invasive method to visualize the arterial walls and to monitor the early stages of the atherosclerotic process.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional hospital-based study. A total of 100 patients were selected with 50 patients each in diabetic and non-diabetic groups. After taking consent, patients were subjected for carotid Doppler examination.
Results: The mean intimal medial thickness values of the diabetic subjects (0.12) were significantly higher than those of the non-diabetic (0.07 mm) subjects (P < 0.001). Both in the normal and diabetic subjects, these values increased with age. At any given age, the diabetic subjects had higher values than the non-diabetic subjects. Intimal medial thickness showed a positive correlation with age, gender, hypertension (HTN), hemoglobin A1C, and duration of diabetes with statistically significant P value.
Conclusion: Diabetic subjects have higher intimal medial thickness values than non-diabetic subjects. Diabetes, duration of diabetes, age, gender, and HTN are the most important risk factors associated with increased intimal medial thickness.