Carotid intima-media thickness and cardiometabolic risk factors in Pakistani type 2 diabetics

Context: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate measure of atherosclerosis. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, coexistent cardiometabolic risk factors contribute to atherosclerosis. Aims: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between known cardiometabolic risk factors and CIMT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted from June 2015 to May 2016 in a tertiary care center in Pakistan. Subjects and Methods: We recruited 237 participants among whom 119 had type 2 diabetes mellitus while 118 were controls. After complete history and examination, investigations including fasting and random blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting lipid profile were obtained. All participants underwent Doppler ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries for measurement of CIMT. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed through SPSS version 20.0 using Pearson's correlation coefficient. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The target population constituted 44.3% males and 55.7% females. Among the participating males, 49.6% were diabetic while 50.4% of the female population was diabetic. There was a strong positive correlation of CIMT with duration of diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol. This correlation was moderately positive with age, diastolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Different cardiometabolic risk factors have a varying impact on CIMT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The major contribution to CIMT is by the blood pressure, cholesterol, and duration of diabetes mellitus.