Sonographic Intima-Media Thickness Evaluation of Common Carotid and Internal Carotid Arteries in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Intima-media thickness (IMT) is a useful marker in early detection of atherosclerotic lesions in carotid arteries in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. The study was conducted to determine the association of IMT with various physical and biochemical parameters in the Indian population. Objective: To compare IMT of common and internal carotid arteries in T2DM patients and healthy individuals and study the correlation of IMT with physical and biochemical parameters. Methods: Case group with T2DM (n=27) were matched with Control group consisting of healthy individuals (n=27) of similar age and sex were included. Physical parameters and routine biochemical data were collected and compared. Ultrasonographical imaging of the common and internal carotid arteries of both sides were performed presence of plaque was observed. Data was analyzed by software IBM® SPSS Statistics V20.0. For all analyses, P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Mean IMT value obtained in case and control group are 0.711±0.14 mm and 0.601±0.16 mm respectively (P=0.005). Presence of plaque was noticed in 37.03% subjects in case group and in 14.81% subjects in control group. Mean IMT was significantly higher for smoker than non-smokers (P=0.004). Fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, Postprandial triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly higher in case group (P<0.05). There was a strong family history of T2DM in case group (51.85%) compared to control group (14.81%) with a statistical significance between them (P=0.009). Conclusion: IMT of common and internal carotid arteries have a significant association in T2DM patients compared to healthy subjects and IMT is significantly associated with physical and biochemical parameters.