Relation of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) with fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: The lipid abnormalities seen in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), especially hypertriglyceridemia, undoubtedly contribute to higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) measurement is a suitable non-invasive method to detect early changes of atherosclerosis. As atherosclerosis is increasingly being recognized as a postprandial event, the present study is aimed to study the correlation between fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels with CIMT in patients with T2DM. Materials and Method: 106 T2DM patients in the age group 30 to 75 years with duration of initial diagnosis of T2DM ≥ 5years, without ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease were recruited in this single centre, cross sectional, observational study. CIMT was measured in all patients using B mode ultrasonography. Fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, glycosylated Hb (HbA1c), renal function tests, fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels (FTG, PPTG), total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and VLDL were measured. Results: The study population was divided into 3 groups based on fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels: Group A (FTG <150 mg/dl, PPTG <200 mg/dl), Group B (FTG <150 mg/dl, PPTG ≥200 mg/dl) and Group C (FTG ≥150mg/dl, PPTG ≥ 200 mg/dl).