Comparison of common carotid artery luminal diameter between adults with diabetes mellitus and healthy controls in North-eastern Nigeria

Background: Common carotid artery luminal diameter (CCALD) is used in epidemiological and interventional studies as biomarker of carotid atherosclerosis especially in subjects with DM. However, there are paucity of studies on the CCALD in subjects with DM in the study locality. Purpose: This study is aimed at evaluating the CCALD in adults with DM differ from those of healthy controls Methodology: Common carotid artery luminal diameters (CCALD) of 82 adult subjects with DM and 144 healthy controls were evaluated using a high-resolution ultrasound machine (Venue 50) equipped with electronic callipers and a linear array, high-frequency transducer (7-12 mHz). Measurements were taken at a point 1 cm distal to the carotid bulb. Results: The overall mean CCALD was 6.12±1.47 mm and 5.88±0.77 mm for subjects with DM and healthy controls, respectively. The mean CCALD value is higher in subjects with DM compared to those of healthy controls though; there was no statistically significant difference in CCALD between the two groups. There were significant positive correlations between CCALD and age in male subjects with DM (r=0.488) while weak negative correlation exists in females (r=-0.073).Furthermore, weak negative correlation between CCALD and age among healthy controls (r=-0.117 and -0.020 for males and females, respectively). Conclusion: The overall mean CCALD value in subjects with DM is higher than those of healthy control. The mean CCALD value is positively and significantly related to age in only male subjects with DM.