Blood pressure and atherosclerotic plaques in carotid, aortic and femoral arteries in elderly Finns with diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of atheromatous plaques in carotid, aortic and femoral arteries, focusing on blood pressure (BP). The study subjects consisted of 65-year-old Finns drawn from a population-based cohort. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed on 54 diabetic subjects, 97 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 57 normoglycaemic subjects (NGT). High systolic BP (SBP) was defined as X160 mmHg and high diastolic BP as X95 mmHg. High pulse pressure (PP) was defined as the highest tertile (X75 mmHg) of PP and high mean BP (MBP) as the highest tertile (X111 mmHg) of MBP. The prevalence of atheromatous plaques was 77% (160/208) in carotid arteries, 94% (195/208) in aorta and 77% (161/ 208) in femoral arteries. A total of 64% (134/208) of the subjects had plaques in both carotid and femoral arteries, and they were compared with those who had plaques in 0-1 of these arteries. In addition to male gender and long-lasting smoking, the occurrence of plaques in both carotid and femoral arteries were associated with high SBP and high MBP. According to the results of multiple regression analyses, the adjusted odds ratio for plaques in both carotid and femoral arteries was 3.1 (95% CI 1.5-6.5) in subjects with high SBP compared to those with lower SBP. When SBP was replaced by high MBP, the adjusted odds ratio for it was 2.3 (95% CI 1.1-4.8).

Trajectories in Glycemic Control over Time Are Associated with Cognitive Performance in Elderly Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes

“…The average levels of total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, and GFR were consistent with the general elderly population in this age range. Systolic blood pressure was higher than in the general population but similar to that observed in other T2D samples [22]. Most subjects were treated with oral anti-diabetic medications (79%), 1% were treated with insulin only, 9% were treated with a combined therapy of oral anti-diabetic medications and insulin and 11% were controlled by diet only.…”

Radiographic measure of aorta calcification is a site‐specific predictor of bone loss and fracture risk at the hip

“…However, presence of atherosclerosis at this aforementioned site may also be a marker of the disease in the more peripheral arterial branches. In support, studies demonstrated that presence of atherosclerotic plaques is frequently associated with plaques at other anatomical sites such as the carotid and femoral arteries [13, 14].…”

Periodontal infection and subclinical atherosclerosis: the role of high‐density lipoprotein as a modifying factor

“…Arterial plaque was defined as an echogenic structure encroaching into the vessel lumen with a distinct area and resulting in >50% greater IMT compared with the neighbouring sites (Giral et al 1991). A more detailed description of the ultrasound examinations is presented in studies by Rajala et al (2005a, b). In this paper, we used the total number of aortic, carotid and femoral plaques, the total number of plaques in the carotid arteries on both sides, the number of aorta plaques and the mean of IMT as outcome variables.…”