Comparison of carotid and lower limb atherosclerotic lesions in both previously known and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aims/IntroductionTo compare carotid and lower limb atherosclerotic lesions, and examine if carotid atherosclerotic lesions are in line with lower limb atherosclerotic lesions, and can reflect generalized atherosclerosis in inpatients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and MethodsThis was an observational study carried out in 867 Chinese inpatients with type 2 diabetes, including 573 previously known and 294 newly diagnosed patients. Ultrasonographic assessments of intima-media thickness (IMT), plaques, and stenosis in the carotid and lower limb arteries were evaluated. Atherosclerotic lesions between the carotid and lower limb arteries were compared in both previously known and newly diagnosed diabetes, respectively.ResultsIn both the known (77.3% vs 49.4%, P < 0.001) and the newly diagnosed diabetes (55.4% vs 29.9%, P < 0.001), the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques was significantly higher in the lower limb arteries than in the carotid arteries. Likewise, the prevalence of stenosis was also significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the lower limb arteries (16.9%) than in the carotid arteries (4.2%) in the established diabetes patients. However, there was no significant difference in the mean IMT between common carotid and common femoral arteries in both the previously known (0.90 ± 0.24 mm vs 0.89 ± 0.20 mm, P = 0.675) and the newly diagnosed diabetes patients (0.86 ± 0.22 mm vs 0.85 ± 0.16 mm, P = 0.436).ConclusionsCarotid plaques might underestimate generalized plaques in inpatients with type 2 diabetes, as shown by its significantly lower prevalence compared with that of the lower extremity arteries. A combined carotid and lower limb ultrasound examination can improve the detection of atherosclerotic lesions in inpatients with type 2 diabetes.

Serum uric acid levels are associated with hypertension and metabolic syndrome but not atherosclerosis in Chinese inpatients with type 2 diabetes

“…In the present study, atherosclerotic plaque and stenosis were defined as the presence of either carotid or lower limb arterial atherosclerotic plaques and stenoses, respectively. The reproducibility of the measurements of carotid and lower limb atherosclerotic lesions had also been reported in our previous studies [ 12 , 14 ].…”

“…Both the carotid and lower limb arteries were subjected to Doppler ultrasound examinations that include measurements of IMT, atherosclerotic plaque and stenosis as described in previous studies in detail [ 11 – 15 ]. The definitions of CIMT, FIMT, carotid and lower limb atherosclerotic plaques and stenosis had also been described in detail in our previous studies [ 11 – 14 , 16 ]. In the present study, atherosclerotic plaque and stenosis were defined as the presence of either carotid or lower limb arterial atherosclerotic plaques and stenoses, respectively.…”

The Relationship between Carotid and Femoral Artery Intima-Media Thickness and Histopathologic Grade of Atherosclerosis in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

“…Carotid IMT (cIMT) and femoral IMT (fIMT) ultrasound measurements have also been studied in CKD patients but with controversial results. While most prior studies have demonstrated increased cIMT in patients with end-stage renal disease [8, 9], others have found no difference in cIMT measurements between CKD patients and healthy individuals [10-12]. We postulated that the controversial results could be due to variability in the grade of atherosclerosis among CKD patients, which could ultimately affect the IMT [13].…”

The value of ankle‐branchial index screening for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes

“…Besides coronary arteries, carotid and lower extremity arteries are two other sites where atherosclerotic lesions commonly occur . The multiple correlations and combined diagnosis among coronary, carotid, and lower extremity arteries disease were widely studied and discussed . Previous studies showed that carotid atherosclerotic lesions were an indicator of generalized atherosclerosis.…”

“…3 The multiple correlations and combined diagnosis among coronary, carotid, and lower extremity arteries disease were widely studied and discussed. [4][5][6][7][8] Previous studies showed that carotid atherosclerotic lesions were an indicator of generalized atherosclerosis. The carotid atherosclerosis detected by ultrasonography was reported to be a potential marker of atherosclerotic disease and independently associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.…”