Comparison of the Impacts of Insulin and Oral Treatment, with or without Dietary Control and Physical Activity Management, on the Carotid Intima-Media Thickness of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of this study was to assess carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) changes in relation to the treatment options of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods and Results: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 92 adults (57.61% female and 42.39% male) diagnosed with T2D with the mean age of 48.59±8.24 years and mean disease duration of 6.0±3.03 years. All patients were categorized into three groups according to the treatment types: Croup A included patients (n=21) treated with insulin injections; Group B included patients (n=33) treated with pills; and Group C included patients (n=38) treated with pills, dietary control, and regular exercise. The control group included 83 healthy people. High-resolution B-mode sonographic evaluations of common carotid arteries (CCAs) were performed. CIMT was measured at a point 1cm distal from the bulb of the carotid artery. The random blood glucose (RBG) test was performed at the time of the sonographic investigation. In T2D patients, the CIMT was significantly higher than in the healthy participants (P<0.001).The CIMT of the left CCA in Group C was significantly lower than in Groups A and B (P=0.033). The age of participants and the duration of T2D were significantly associated with increased CIMT (P=0.021 and P=0.015, respectively). Conclusion: Dietary control and physical activity should be considered significant factors in controlling CIMT in T2D.