Prognostic impact of carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques on the development of micro- and macrovascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes: the Rio de Janeiro type 2 diabetes cohort study

Interleukin-6 and thyroid-stimulating hormone index predict plaque stability in carotid artery stenosis: analyses by lasso-logistic regression

Objective

To develop and validate a new prediction model based on the Lass-logistic regression with inflammatory serologic markers for the assessment of carotid plaque stability, providing clinicians with a reliable tool for risk stratification and decision-making in the management of carotid artery disease.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively collected the data of the patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) from 2019 to 2023 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. Demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, and the results of preoperative serum biochemistry were measured and collected. The risk factors for vulnerable carotid plaque were analyzed. A Lasso-logistic regression prediction model was developed and compared with traditional logistic regression models. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used to evaluate the performance of three models.

Results

A total of 131 patients were collected in this study, including 66 (50.4%) in the vulnerable plaque group and 65 (49.6%) in the stable plaque group. The final Lasso-logistic regression model included 4 features:IL-6, TSH, TSHI, and TT4RI; AIC = 161.6376, BIC = 176.0136, both lower than the all-variable logistic regression model (AIC = 181.0881, BIC = 261.5936), and the BIC was smaller than the stepwise logistic regression model (AIC = 154.024, BIC = 179.9007). Finally, the prediction model was constructed based on the variables screened by the Lasso regression, and the model had favorable discrimination and calibration.

Conclusions

The noninvasive prediction model based on IL-6 and TSHI is a quantitative tool for predicting vulnerable carotid plaques. It has high diagnostic efficacy and is worth popularizing and applying.

Risk factors for rapid kidney function decline in diabetes patients

Diabetic nephropathy, as a severe microvascular complication of diabetes, manifests in four clinical types: classic, albuminuria regression, a rapid decline in kidney function (RDKF), and non-proteinuric or non-albuminuric DKD. Rapidly progressive diabetic nephropathy advances to end-stage renal disease more swiftly than the typical form, posing significant risks. However, a comprehensive understanding of rapidly progressive diabetic nephropathy is currently lacking. This article reviewed latest developments in genetic and clinical risk factors associated with rapidly progressive diabetic nephropathy, aiming to broad perspectives concerning the diagnosis and interventions of this condition.

The Association between the Severity of Distal Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy and Increased Carotid Atherosclerosis in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes contributes to a spectrum of complications encompassing microvascular and macrovascular disorders. This study aimed to explore the correlation between distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) severity and heightened carotid atherosclerosis among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Method: Participants underwent comprehensive assessments including nerve conduction studies (NCS), Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS) evaluations, assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors, and carotid sonography studies covering dynamic and morphological parameters. The resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) in both the common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and carotid plaque score (CPS) were also measured. Peripheral nerve function severity was assessed using composite amplitude scores (CAS) derived from NCS.

RESULTS

Individuals with DSPN exhibited lower EDV in the CCA and ICA (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002), higher PI and RI in both CCA and ICA (all p < 0.0001), and higher CPS (p = 0.002). They also demonstrated a higher prevalence of retinopathy as an underlying condition, higher index HbA1c, and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (all p < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed significant associations where eGFR, ICA-PI, index HbA1c, waist circumference, and age were correlated with CAS. Meanwhile, diabetes duration, waist circumference, age, and index HbA1c showed significant associations with TCNS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that individuals with T2DM who exhibit more severe carotid atherosclerosis may not only be at increased risk of developing DSPN but also may experience greater severity of DSPN. PI in both the CCA and ICA, along with the CPS, serve as surrogate biomarkers for DSPN severity.

Research progress on the association between glycemic variability index derived from CGM and cardiovascular disease complications

Currently, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has been widely used to assess the glycemic control of patients with diabetes. However, HbA1c has certain limitations in describing both short-term and long-term glycemic control. To more accurately evaluate the glycemic control of diabetes patients, the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has emerged. CGM technology can provide robust data on short-term glycemic control and introduce new monitoring parameters such as time in range, time above range, and time below range as indicators of glycemic fluctuation. These indicators are used to describe the changes in glycemic control after interventions in clinical research or treatment modifications in diabetes patient care. Recent studies both domestically and internationally have shown that these indicators are not only associated with microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus but also closely related to cardiovascular disease complications and prognosis. Therefore, this article aims to comprehensively review the association between CGM-based glycemic parameters and cardiovascular disease complications by analyzing a large number of domestic and international literature. The purpose is to provide scientific evidence and guidance for the standardized application of these indicators in clinical practice, in order to better evaluate the glycemic control of diabetes patients and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease complications. This research will contribute to improving the quality of life for diabetes patients and provide important references for clinical decision-making.

Mitochondrial DNA and Inflammation Are Associated with Cerebral Vessel Remodeling and Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cerebrovascular disease accounts for major neurologic disabilities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). A potential association of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and inflammation with cerebral vessel remodeling in patients with type 2 DM was evaluated. A cohort of 150 patients and 30 healthy controls were assessed concerning urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), synaptopodin, podocalyxin, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), N-acetyl-β-(D)-glucosaminidase (NAG), interleukins IL-17A, IL-18, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). MtDNA-CN and nuclear DNA (nDNA) were quantified in peripheral blood and urine by qRT-PCR. Cytochrome b (CYTB) gene, subunit 2 of NADH dehydrogenase (ND2), and beta 2 microglobulin nuclear gene (B2M) were assessed by TaqMan assays. mtDNA-CN was defined as the ratio of the number of mtDNA/nDNA copies, through analysis of the CYTB/B2M and ND2/B2M ratio; cerebral Doppler ultrasound: intima-media thickness (IMT)-the common carotid arteries (CCAs), the pulsatility index (PI) and resistivity index (RI)- the internal carotid arteries (ICAs) and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), the breath-holding index (BHI). The results showed direct correlations of CCAs-IMT, PI-ICAs, PI-MCAs, RI-ICAs, RI-MCAs with urinary mtDNA, IL-17A, IL-18, TNFα, ICAM-1, UACR, synaptopodin, podocalyxin, KIM-1, NAG, and indirect correlations with serum mtDNA, IL-10. BHI correlated directly with serum IL-10, and serum mtDNA, and negatively with serum IL-17A, serum ICAM-1, and NAG. In neurologically asymptomatic patients with type 2 DM cerebrovascular remodeling and impaired cerebrovascular reactivity may be associated with mtDNA variations and inflammation from the early stages of diabetic kidney disease.

Precision prognostics for cardiovascular disease in Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Precision medicine has the potential to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction in individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to identify potentially novel prognostic factors that may improve CVD risk prediction in T2D. Out of 9380 studies identified, 416 studies met inclusion criteria. Outcomes were reported for 321 biomarker studies, 48 genetic marker studies, and 47 risk score/model studies.

RESULTS

Out of all evaluated biomarkers, only 13 showed improvement in prediction performance. Results of pooled meta-analyses, non-pooled analyses, and assessments of improvement in prediction performance and risk of bias, yielded the highest predictive utility for N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (high-evidence), troponin-T (TnT) (moderate-evidence), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (moderate-evidence), Genetic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease (GRS-CHD) (moderate-evidence); moderate predictive utility for coronary computed tomography angiography (low-evidence), single-photon emission computed tomography (low-evidence), pulse wave velocity (moderate-evidence); and low predictive utility for C-reactive protein (moderate-evidence), coronary artery calcium score (low-evidence), galectin-3 (low-evidence), troponin-I (low-evidence), carotid plaque (low-evidence), and growth differentiation factor-15 (low-evidence). Risk scores showed modest discrimination, with lower performance in populations different from the original development cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high interest in this topic, very few studies conducted rigorous analyses to demonstrate incremental predictive utility beyond established CVD risk factors for T2D. The most promising markers identified were NT-proBNP, TnT, TyG and GRS-CHD, with the highest strength of evidence for NT-proBNP. Further research is needed to determine their clinical utility in risk stratification and management of CVD in T2D.

Diabetic Retinopathy and Cardiovascular Disease: A Literature Review

Diabetic complications can be divided into macrovascular complications such as cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease and microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy. Among them, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important cause of death in diabetic patients. Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is one of the main reasons for the increasing disability rate of diabetes. In recent years, some studies have found that because DR and CVD have a common pathophysiological basis, the occurrence of DR and CVD are inseparable, and to a certain extent, DR can predict the occurrence of CVD. With the development of technology, the fundus parameters of DR can be quantitatively analyzed as an independent risk factor of CVD. In addition, the cytokines related to DR can also be used for early screening of DR. Although many advances have been made in the treatment of CVD, its situation of prevention and treatment is still not optimistic. This review hopes to discuss the feasibility of DR in predicting CVD from the common pathophysiological mechanism of DR and CVD, the new progress of diagnostic techniques for DR, and the biomarkers for early screening of DR.

Carotid intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques are associated with renal function decline: a 14-year longitudinal population-based study

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to increased morbidity and mortality. The underlying causes of CKD are often similar to those of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether carotid atherosclerotic parameters are associated with renal function decline.

METHODS

Within the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), Germany, 2904 subjects were observed over 14 years. The carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as well as carotid plaques were measured by standardized B-mode ultrasound protocol. CKD is defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and albuminuria as urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g. eGFR was calculated by the full age spectrum (FAS) equation and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Mixed models were applied to associate carotid parameters with change in renal function longitudinally and adjusted for confounding.

RESULTS

The age range of the study sample was 25-86 years with a median of 54 years at baseline. In longitudinal analyses, subjects with high cIMT and the presence of plaques at baseline showed a greater decrease in eGFR (cIMT: FAS-eGFR: P < .001, CKD-EPI-eGFR: P < .001; plaques: FAS-eGFR: P < .001, CKD-EPI-eGFR: n.s.) as well as an increased risk of developing CKD during the follow-up (cIMT: FAS-eGFR: P = .001, CKD-EPI-eGFR: P = .04; plaques: FAS-eGFR: P = .008, CKD-EPI-eGFR: P = .001). There was no association between atherosclerotic parameters and the risk of developing albuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS

cIMT and carotid plaques are associated with renal function decline as well as CKD in a population-based sample. Furthermore, the FAS equation adapts best to this study population.

Precision Prognostics for Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Precision medicine has the potential to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies to identify potentially novel prognostic factors that may improve CVD risk prediction in T2D. Out of 9380 studies identified, 416 studies met inclusion criteria. Outcomes were reported for 321 biomarker studies, 48 genetic marker studies, and 47 risk score/model studies. Results Out of all evaluated biomarkers, only 13 showed improvement in prediction performance. Results of pooled meta-analyses, non-pooled analyses, and assessments of improvement in prediction performance and risk of bias, yielded the highest predictive utility for N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (high-evidence), troponin-T (TnT) (moderate-evidence), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (moderate-evidence), Genetic Risk Score for Coronary Heart Disease (GRS-CHD) (moderate-evidence); moderate predictive utility for coronary computed tomography angiography (low-evidence), single-photon emission computed tomography (low-evidence), pulse wave velocity (moderate-evidence); and low predictive utility for C-reactive protein (moderate-evidence), coronary artery calcium score (low-evidence), galectin-3 (low-evidence), troponin-I (low-evidence), carotid plaque (low-evidence), and growth differentiation factor-15 (low-evidence). Risk scores showed modest discrimination, with lower performance in populations different from the original development cohort. Conclusions Despite high interest in this topic, very few studies conducted rigorous analyses to demonstrate incremental predictive utility beyond established CVD risk factors for T2D. The most promising markers identified were NT-proBNP, TnT, TyG and GRS-CHD, with the highest strength of evidence for NT-proBNP. Further research is needed to determine their clinical utility in risk stratification and management of CVD in T2D.

Association between carotid ultrasonographic parameters and microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between carotid ultrasonographic parameters and diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications.

METHODS

All published articles were searched in electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from the inception to May 27, 2023. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), carotid bifurcation intima-media thickness (CB-IMT), internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (ICA-IMT), carotid plaque, carotid plaque score, plaque number, plaque thickness, carotid atherosclerosis, and resistivity indices (RIs) of ultrasonographic parameters were assessed. The odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD), with the 95 % confidence interval (CI) were pooled to estimate the effect. Subgroup analyses were performed in terms of the type of diabetes and study design. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies involving 12,102 diabetic patients were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Our findings suggested the associations between increased CCA-IMT and the risk of diabetic microvascular (WMD: 0.059, 95%CI: 0.026 to 0.091, P < 0.001) and macrovascular complications (WMD: 0.124, 95%CI: 0.061 to 0.187, P < 0.001) including cardiovascular events (OR: 2.362, 95%CI: 1.913 to 2.916, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses also elaborated an association between CCA-IMT and diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. The results of sensitivity analysis show that the association is relatively stable.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed associations between carotid ultrasonographic parameters and microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Application of the carotid ultrasonographic parameters could be a non-invasive method for the early detection of long-term complications of diabetes.

The Level of Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in Poland Depending on the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), increasingly diagnosed among the Polish population, is a combination of factors that are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery has been suggested as, simply, a non-invasive and reproducible marker of the early stages of the atherosclerotic process. The carotid IMT can also be a strong predictor of future cerebral and cardiovascular events. The aim of our study was to evaluate atherosclerotic lesions in carotid vessels in patients with MetS depending on the presence of DMt2 and to assess which demographic factors affect the level of IMT. The study involved 335 subjects diagnosed with MetS, including 211 females (65%) and 124 males (37%) aged 37-82. The diagnosis of MetS was made on the basis of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The patients were divided into two subgroups: with DMt2 and without DMt2. The value of IMT depended on gender, education, and smoking status. We noticed that patients with DMt2 had the highest measurement of IMT compared with other groups (1.01 vs. 0.98). Additionally, a statistically significant difference between the subgroup with DMt2 and those without DMt2 was found (1.01 vs. 0.92; p < 0.005). Ultrasound assessment of the carotid IMT should be used more often in the diagnosis and monitoring of high cardiovascular risk and early progression of atherosclerosis, especially in patients with MetS with current DMt2.

Correlation study on the relationship between dyslipidemia and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with diabetes mellitus

Objective

To investigate the correlation between dyslipidemia and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A descriptive research design was adopted in this study. One hundred and twenty patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus who were admitted to the physical examination center of The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2020 to June 2021 for physical examination were recruited to the experimental group. The 120 patients were divided into three groups according to carotid IMT: normal group, thickened group, and plaque group. Forty healthy people who underwent a physical examination during the same period were recruited as the control group. The differences in IMT in various parts of the experimental group and the control group and the differences in blood lipid indexes were compared and analyzed. In addition, the correlation between mean IMT of bilateral common carotid arteries and blood lipid levels in normal, thickened and plaque groups was compared and analyzed.

Results

The intima-media thicknesses of the internal carotid artery and bilateral common carotid arteries of the patients in the experimental group were significantly thicker than those in the healthy control group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL were higher than those in the control group, while the level of HDL was lower than that in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (p=0.00). The levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), TG, TC and LDL were positively correlated with the mean IMT of bilateral common carotid arteries (p<0.05), while the level of HDL was negatively correlated with the mean IMT of bilateral common carotid arteries (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism in patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus have a close bearing on carotid IMT. Clinically, patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus can be judged by monitoring carotid IMT for dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and other related complications.

Diabetic retinopathy predicts cardiovascular disease independently of subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and preclinical atherosclerosis are associated with higher cardiovascular risk. However, no studies have investigated the predictive role of DR and preclinical atherosclerosis jointly on cardiovascular events in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to assess the contribution of DR and subclinical atherosclerosis on the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in subjects with T2D without previous cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS

We included two prospective cohorts of subjects with T2D from the same geographical area. Assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis was performed by carotid ultrasound. An ophthalmologist classified DR according to standard criteria. Cardiovascular outcomes considered for analysis were the following: ischemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, revascularization procedures, and cardiovascular mortality. Bivariable and multivariable predictive models were performed.

RESULTS

From a total of 374 subjects with T2D 44 developed cardiovascular events during the 7.1 years of follow-up. Diabetes duration, total cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at baseline were higher in subjects who developed cardiovascular outcomes (p < 0.001, p = 0.026, and p = 0.040, respectively). Compared with subjects without events, those developing cardiovascular events had higher prevalence of retinopathy (65.9% vs. 38.8%, p = 0.001; respectively) and more than mild retinopathy (43.2% vs. 31.8%, p = 0.002; respectively). Furthermore, all-cause mortality was higher in subjects with MACE than those without events (13.6% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.009; respectively). The multivariable analyses showed that HbA1c and the presence of DR at baseline were predictive of cardiovascular outcomes (p = 0.045 and p = 0.023, respectively). However, the burden of subclinical atherosclerosis was not (p = 0.783 and p = 0.071, respectively).

CONCLUSION

DR is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events in T2D individuals at primary CVD prevention, even after accounting for the presence of preclinical carotid atherosclerosis. These results may help to individualize CVD prevention strategies in T2D.

Evaluation of Subclinical Vascular Disease in Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Tool for Personalization of Management of a High-Risk Population

Background: Patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are at increased risk for cardiovascular events but traditional risk factors do not fully explain this association. Evaluation of subclinical vascular disease might improve risk stratification and management of these patients. The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of markers of arterial stiffness, carotid atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease between patients with DKD and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and preserved kidney function. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with DKD and age- and gender-matched patients with T2DM but without DKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate < and ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). The presence of arterial stiffness was evaluated by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), AIx adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats/min (AIx@75) and central systolic, diastolic, pulse and mean blood pressure. The presence of carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring carotid stenosis, carotid intima-media thickness and maximal plaque thickness. The presence of PAD was evaluated with the measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI). Results: Forty patients with T2DM were included in the study (mean age 71.6 ± 8.9 years). The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was similar in patients with and without DKD. PWV was higher in the former (9.8 ± 5.5 and 6.6 ± 4.4 m/s, respectively; p < 0.05) and carotid stenosis of the left carotid artery was also greater in patients with DKD (36.5 ± 12.6 and 22.1 ± 17.2%, respectively; p < 0.05). Other markers of arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis and ABI did not differ between patients with DKD and those without DKD. Conclusions: Patients with DKD appear to have more pronounced arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis than patients with T2DM and preserved kidney function despite the similar prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the two groups. Therefore, evaluating the presence of subclinical vascular disease in these patients could be a useful tool for the personalization of their management.

Carotid Artery Disease in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes: Risk Factors and Biomarkers

Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) and, especially, carotid artery stenosis (CAS), are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we aimed to identify risk factors and biomarkers of subclinical CA and CAS in T2D individuals. High-resolution ultrasonography of carotid arteries was performed in 389 patients. Ninety-five clinical parameters were evaluated, including diabetic complications and comorbidities; antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antihypertensive therapy; indices of glycemic control and glucose variability (GV); lipid panels; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); albuminuria; blood cell count; and coagulation. Additionally, serum levels of calponin-1, relaxin, L-citrulline, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -3 (MMP-2, -3) were measured by ELISA. In univariate analysis, older age, male sex, diabetes duration, GV, diabetic retinopathy, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and MMP-3 were associated with subclinical CA. In addition to these factors, long-term arterial hypertension, high daily insulin doses, eGFR, and L-citrulline were associated with CAS. In multivariate logistic regression, age, male sex, BMI, GV, and eGFR predicted CA independently; male sex, BMI, diabetes duration, eGFR, and L-citrulline were predictors of CAS. These results can be used to develop screening and prevention programs for CA and CAS in T2D subjects.

Urine transferrin as an early endothelial dysfunction marker in type 2 diabetic patients without nephropathy: a case control study

BACKGROUND

Albumin, along with other proteins, is abnormally eliminated via the urine during early stages of diabetic nephropathy. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction (ED) accompanying early diabetic nephropathy may develop even before microalbuminuria is detectable. Transferrin has a molecular weight comparable to albumin, whereas transferrinuria and microalbuminuria in a 24-h urine sample may comparably reflect early diabetic nephropathy. Whereas transferrin metabolism is related with ED during very early diabetic nephropathy has not been elucidated yet. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the relation between ED and urine transferrin, even before early diabetic nephropathy is present.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled from two study sites in Mexico City: Ticomán General Hospital (healthy controls); and a Specialized Clinic for the Management of the Diabetic Patient (cases). All patients provided written informed consent. The primary endpoint was the correlation between urinary transferrin concentration and ED measured in type 2 diabetic patients without albuminuria. ED was evaluated by ultrasonographic validated measurements, which included carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and flow mediated dilation (FMD). Plasma biomarkers included glycated hemoglobin, creatinine, cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as urine albumin, transferrin and evidence of urinary tract infection.

RESULTS

Sixty patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (t2DM; n = 30) or without t2DM (n = 30), both negative for microalbuminuria, were recruited. The group with t2DM were older, with higher values of HbA1c and higher ED. This group also showed significant differences in urine transferrin and urine/plasma transferrin ratio, as compared with healthy controls (14.4 vs. 18.7 mg/mL, p = 0.04, and 74.2 vs. 49.5; p = 0.01; respectively). Moreover, urine transferrin correlated with higher CIMT values (r = 0.37, p = 0.04), being particularly significant for t2DM population. CIMT also correlated with time from t2DM diagnosis (r = 0.48, p < 0.001) and HbA1c (r = 0.48; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Urine transferrin correlated with subclinical atherogenesis in patients with t2DM without renal failure, suggesting its potential to identify cardiovascular risk in patients at very early nephropathy stage without microalbuminuria.

Postprandial endothelial dysfunction and CIMT after oral fat challenge in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without macrovascular disease - A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Very few studies have reported on association of postprandial lipids and endothelial dysfunction among patients with diabetes. Whether endothelial dysfunction particularly postprandial FMD is worse in patients with T2DM with macrovascular disease compared to those without and whether this difference is related to postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (PPHTg) is unclear. Therefore, present study was aimed to assess the relationship between PPHTg and endothelial function in patients with T2DM with and without macrovascular disease.

METHOD

Endothelial dysfunction by FMD and CIMT were compared in patients with T2DM with and without macrovascular disease (n = 13 each group) and 13 age, sex and BMI matched healthy individuals after an oral fat challenge.

RESULTS

There was significant postprandial deterioration of FMD 4-hr after fat challenge in patients with diabetes (P < 0.001) as well as healthy individuals (P = 0.004). Patients with diabetes with macrovascular disease had significantly lower fasting (5.7 ± 6.1% vs. 22.7 ± 10.0% and vs. 24.7 ± 5.3%) as well as postprandial (4-hr) (3.1 ± 5.0% vs. 15.3 ± 8.1% and vs. 15.4 ± 5.7%) FMD compared to other two groups. Fasting, postprandial as well as change in FMD and CIMT in patients with diabetes correlated significantly with fasting as well as postprandial triglycerides with stronger correlation in those with macrovascular disease.

CONCLUSION

Study found significant endothelial dysfunction by FMD that shows substantial further deterioration postprandially following high fat meal in patients with diabetes with macrovascular disease compared to patients with diabetes without macrovascular disease and healthy individuals. Study also indicates that PPHTg is a contributor to endothelial dysfunction. However, more studies are required to corroborate these findings.

Preclinical carotid atherosclerosis as an indicator of polyvascular disease: a narrative review

Carotid atherosclerotic lesions are correlated with atherosclerotic deterioration of the arterial wall in other vascular territories and with cardiovascular events. The detection of pre-symptomatic carotid lesions like intima-media thickness (IMT) and asymptomatic carotid plaques is possible by non-invasive ultrasound duplex scanning. Current measurement guidelines suggest an average measurement of IMT within 10 mm of the segment of the common carotid artery. The thickening of intima-media appears in a long subclinical period of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the determination of IMT has emerged as one of the methods for determining early structural deterioration of the arterial wall. A close interrelationship was shown between IMT and risk factors of atherosclerosis, their duration, and intensity. Different studies demonstrated that increased IMT is a powerful predictor of coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial occlusive disease and their complication. A recent meta-analysis indicated a minimal improvement in the risk estimation of cardiovascular events after adding IMT to the Framingham Risk Score. These findings influenced the latest ACC/AHA guidelines which again recommend the use of carotid IMT measurement for individual risk assessment. The presence of atherosclerotic plaques indicates that the atherosclerotic process is already ongoing. The findings of different studies are equivocal that carotid plaques independently predict cardiovascular events and improve risk predictions for coronary artery disease when added to the Framingham Risk Score. However, besides the size of plaque and grade of stenosis, the structure of plaque calcification, vascularization, lipid core, and the surface of plaques are important indicators of related risks for cardiovascular events.

The association between carotid disease, arterial stiffness and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II

AIM

To determine whether macrovascular disease assessed by carotid ultrasonography and arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity are independently associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A random subgroup of surviving participants with type 2 diabetes from the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II were invited to take part in this sub-study in 2018-2019. In addition to standardized questionnaires, a physical examination and fasting biochemical tests, each underwent dilated colour fundus photography, carotid arterial ultrasonography with measurement of the intima-media thickness (IMT) and quantification of the degree of stenosis, and pulse wave analysis calculation of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). The cross-sectional association between arterial disease parameters and diabetic retinopathy was assessed using generalized estimating equation models which enabled both eyes to be included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Some 270 participants [mean ± sd age 72 ± 9 years, 153 (57%) men and median (IQR) diabetes duration 15 (11-22) years] were included in analysis. Of 524 assessable eyes, 82 (16%) had diabetic retinopathy. In multivariable analysis, significant independent associates of diabetic retinopathy were age at diabetes diagnosis (inversely), HbA_1c , insulin treatment and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (all P ≤ 0.022), as well as cfPWV [odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 1.23 per 1 m/s increase; P = 0.008] and common carotid artery (CCA) IMT ≥1 mm (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.21, 7.23; P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

The association between diabetic retinopathy and CCA IMT suggests that carotid disease may share cardiovascular risk factors with diabetic retinopathy. The association between diabetic retinopathy and cfPWV may reflect the consequences of altered intravascular haemodynamics.

Traditional and non-traditional risk factors for peripheral artery disease development/progression in patients with type 2 diabetes: the Rio de Janeiro type 2 diabetes cohort study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic importance of non-traditional risk factors for peripheral artery disease (PAD) development/progression is scarcely studied in diabetes. We investigated if carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) added prognostic information beyond traditional cardiovascular risk markers for PAD outcomes.

METHODS

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured at baseline and after a median of 91 months of follow-up in 681 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Multivariate Cox regressions examined the associations between the candidate variables and the outcome. PAD development/progression was defined by a reduction in ABI ≥ 0.15 (to a level < 0.9) or limb revascularization procedures, lower-extremity amputations or death due to PAD. The improvement in risk discrimination was assessed by increases in C-statistics of the models.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients developed/progressed PAD: 50 reduced ABI to < 0.9, seven had lower-limb revascularizations, and 20 had amputations or death. Age, male sex, diabetes duration, presence of microvascular complications (peripheral neuropathy and diabetic kidney disease), baseline HbA1c, 24-h systolic BP (SBP) and mean cumulative office SBP and LDL-cholesterol were associated with PAD development/progression in several models. CIMT and cf-PWV were additionally associated with PAD outcomes, and their inclusion further improved risk discrimination (with C-statistic increases between 0.025 and 0.030). The inclusion of ambulatory 24-h SBP, instead of office SBP, also improved PAD risk discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased CIMT and aortic stiffness are associated with greater risks of developing/progressing PAD, beyond traditional risk factors, in type 2 diabetes.

Exenatide improves cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective study

Background/aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-month treatment regimen with exenatide on the lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), visceral adiposity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), all of which are important cardiovascular risk factors.

Materials and methods

This study included 45 obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Baseline clinical findings, laboratory parameters, and ultrasonography findings were recorded. An exenatide recipe was given twice daily to the patients and, after 6 months of therapy, the same variables were compared. The compared parameters were lipid profiles, hsCRP, aspartat aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, liver craniocaudal diameter, visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat thickness, and CIMT. Liver diameter, visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat thickness, and CIMT were measured by ultrasonography.

Results

After therapy, statistically significant improvements were achieved in lipid profile, hsCRP, liver enzymes, body mass index, and waist and hip circumferences. Also, statistically significant decreases were obtained in liver craniocaudal diameter, subcutaneous fat thickness, visceral fat volume, and CIMT. The reduction of CIMT and liver diameter were not correlated with BMI and HbA_1c reduction.

Conclusion

This study showed improvement in lipid profile and hsCRP levels with exenatide treatment. We also showed decrease in both visceral fat volume and subcutaneous fat thickness. We demonstrated significant decrease in liver enzymes with significant decrease in liver diameter. These findings support the use of exenatide in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. Additionally, this study showed that exenatide treatment given twice daily reduces CIMT in obese T2DM patients.

Carotid Disease and Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Parameters in Type 2 Diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II

OBJECTIVE

To use optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to determine whether retinal microvascular parameters are associated with carotid arterial disease in people with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants (community-based) underwent detailed assessments including carotid ultrasonography and OCTA. Ultrasound images were assessed for mean intima-media thickness (IMT) and the presence of stenosis. OCTA image analysis provided measures of vessel density, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, blood flow areas, and retinal thickness. For each OCTA variable, the most parsimonious model was generated using generalized estimating equations, then ipsilateral and contralateral carotid disease-related variables were added to determine their significance.

RESULTS

A total of 474 eyes from 261 participants (mean ± SD age 72.0 ± 9.3 years, 57.1% males, median diabetes duration 15.4 years [interquartile range 11.1-22.4]) were analyzed. When carotid variables were added to the most parsimonious models, the ipsilateral natural logarithm of common carotid artery IMT (coefficient -2.56 [95% CI -4.76, -0.35], P = 0.023) and presence of any ipsilateral stenosis (-0.82 [-1.48, -0.17], P = 0.014) were statistically significantly associated with a lower parafoveal density in the deep capillary plexus. A mean bifurcation IMT ≥1 mm was associated with a decreased vessel density in the 300-μm ring surrounding the FAZ (coefficient -0.79 [-1.50, -0.08], P = 0.030)). Contralateral carotid disease-related variables were also significantly associated with retinal microvascular parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to show that carotid disease is an independent associate of retinal microvascular disease assessed by OCTA in type 2 diabetes. Appropriately intensive management of carotid disease may improve the retinal microcirculation.

Correlation of Pre-Hypertension with Carotid Artery Damage in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

The intima–media thickness (IMT), luminal diameters (LDs), flow velocities (FVs), compliance, and β-stiffness of the carotid artery (CA) are considered as independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Pre-hypertension (PHT) is also an independent CVD risk factor. This study investigated the association between CA damage (CAD) and PHT. A total of 544 adults participated; their blood pressures (BPs) and CA characteristics were measured using a mercury-free sphygmomanometer and ultrasound. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to assess the differences in the CA characteristics according to the BPs, multinomial logistic regression to evaluate the risk of CAD associated with PHT. In ANCOVA, the CA characteristics of PHT were significantly different from normotensive. The odds ratios (ORs) of IMTmax, LDmax, LDmin, peak-systolic FV (PFV), end-diastolic FV (EFV), PFV/LDmin, EFV/LDmax, compliance, and β-stiffness of PHT were 4.20, 2.70, 3.52, 2.41, 3.06, 3.55, 3.29, 2.02, and 1.84 times higher than those of the normotensive, respectively, in Model 2. In Model 3 adjusted for age, the ORs of LDmax, LDmin, EFV, PFV/LDmin, and EFV/LDmax of PHT were 2.10, 2.55, 1.96, 2.20, and 2.04 times higher than those of the normotensive, respectively. Therefore, the present study revealed that CAD is closely correlated with pre-hypertensive status in adults.

Global trend of diabetes mortality attributed to vascular complications, 2000-2016

Background

The global epidemic of diabetes mellitus continues to grow and affects developed and developing countries alike. Intensive glycemic control is thought to modify the risks for vascular complications, hence the risks for diabetes-related death. We investigated the trend of diabetic vascular complication-related deaths between 2000 and 2016 in the global diabetes landscape.

Methods

We collected 17 years of death certificates data from 108 countries in the World Health Organization mortality database between 2000 and 2016, with coding for diabetic complications. Crude and age-standardized proportions and rates were calculated. Trend analysis was done with annual average percentage change (AAPC) of rates computed by joinpoint regression.

Results

From 2000 through 2016, 7,108,145 deaths of diabetes were reported in the 108 countries. Among them, 26.8% (1,904,787 cases) were attributed to vascular complications in damaged organs, including the kidneys (1,355,085 cases, 71.1%), peripheral circulatory (515,293 cases, 27.1%), nerves (28,697 cases, 1.5%) and eyes (5751 cases, 0.3%). Overall, the age-standardized proportion of vascular complication-related mortality was 267.8 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 267.5–268.1] cases per 1000 deaths and the rate was 53.6 (95% CI 53.5–53.7) cases per 100,000 person-years. Throughout the 17-year period, the overall age-standardized proportions of deaths attributable to vascular complications had increased 37.9%, while the overall age-standardized mortality rates related to vascular complications had increased 30.8% (AAPC = 1.9% [1.4–2.4%, p < 0.05]). These increases were predominantly driven by a 159.8% increase in the rate (AAPC = 2.7% [1.2–4.3%, p < 0.05]) from renal complications. Trends in the rates and AAPC of deaths varied by type of diabetes and of complications, as well as by countries, regions and domestic income.

Conclusion

Diabetic vascular complication-related deaths had increased substantially during 2000–2016, mainly driven by the increased mortality of renal complications.

Diabetes and carotid artery disease: a narrative review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been linked to an increased prevalence and severity of carotid artery disease, as well as polyvascular disease. Carotid disease is also associated with obesity and abnormal peri-organ and intra-organ fat (APIFat) deposition (i.e., excess fat accumulation in several organs such as the liver, heart and vessels). In turn, DM is associated with APIFat. The coexistence of these comorbidities confers a greater risk of vascular events. Clinicians should also consider that carotid bruits may predict cardiovascular risk. DM has been related to a greater risk of adverse outcomes after carotid endarterectomy or stenting. Whether modifying risk factors (e.g., glycaemia and dyslipidaemia) in DM patients can improve the outcomes of these procedures needs to be established. Furthermore, DM is a risk factor for contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). The latter should be recorded in DM patients undergoing carotid stenting since it can influence both short- and long-term outcomes. From a pathophysiological perspective, functional changes in the carotid artery may precede morphological ones. Furthermore, carotid plaque characteristics are increasingly being studied in terms of vascular risk stratification and monitoring short-term changes attributed to treatment. The present narrative review discusses the recent (2019) literature on the associations between DM and carotid artery disease. Physicians and vascular surgeons looking after patients with carotid disease and DM should consider these links that may influence outcomes. Further research in this field is also needed to optimise the treatment of such patients.

Maximum Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Association with Renal Outcomes

Aim: We aimed to examine the association between the maximum intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (Max IMT) and renal prognosis, considering their potential interaction with age.

Methods: Survival analyses were performed in 112 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), to assess renal prognosis, with the endpoint defined as a ≥ 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or end-stage renal disease.

Results: During a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 44 participants reached the study endpoint. The major determinant of Max IMT was the maximum IMT of the internal carotid artery (Max ICA-IMT), which was the distribution ratio of 50.0% of Max IMT. Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that Max IMT ≥ 1.5 mm was significantly associated with renal prognosis when age and eGFR were matched. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, Max IMT was significantly associated with the renal outcomes and had a significant interaction with the age categories (≥ 65 years or ＜65 years) ( P =0.0153 for interaction). A 1-mm increase in Max IMT was significantly associated with disease progression in the sub-cohort ＜65 years age-category, but not in the ≥ 65 years age-category; similarly the hazard ratio (HR) in the ＜65 years age-category was higher than in the ≥ 65 years age-category (HR: 2.52 vs. 0.95). Comparable results were obtained for Max ICA-IMT, Max bulb-IMT, but not for Max common carotid artery-IMT.

Conclusions: A higher Max IMT was a significant renal prognosis factor in patients with CKD aged ＜65 years. Our results may provide new insights into treating CKD.

Recent Updates on Vascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

It is well known that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) complications. Previously, the concept that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a "coronary artery disease (CAD) risk equivalent" was widely accepted, implying that all DM patients should receive intensive management. However, considerable evidence exist for wide heterogeneity in the risk of CV events among T2DM patients and the concept of a "CAD risk equivalent" has changed. Recent guidelines recommend further CV risk stratification in T2DM patients, with treatment tailored to the risk level. Although imaging modalities for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) have been used to improve risk prediction, there is currently no evidence that imaging-oriented therapy improves clinical outcomes. Therefore, controversy remains whether we should screen for CVD in asymptomatic T2DM. The coexistence of T2DM and heart failure (HF) is common. Based on recent CV outcome trials, sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists are recommended who have established ASCVD, indicators of high risk, or HF because of their demonstrated benefits for CVD. These circumstances have led to an increasing emphasis on ASCVD and HF in T2DM patients. In this review, we examine the literature published within the last 5 years on the risk assessment of CVD in asymptomatic T2DM patients. In particular, we review recent guidelines regarding screening for CVD and research focusing on the role of coronary artery calcium, coronary computed tomography angiography, and carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic T2DM patients.

The relationship between carotid disease and retinopathy in diabetes: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Since studies of the relationship between carotid disease and diabetic retinopathy (DR) have shown apparent inconsistencies, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of available published data.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched independently by two reviewers, according to an iterative protocol, for relevant articles. The search term used was "diabetes AND (carotid disease OR intima-media OR carotid plaque OR carotid stenosis OR carotid arterial disease OR carotid artery disease OR carotid atherosclerosis) AND (retinopathy OR diabetic retinopathy)".

RESULTS

From 477 publications, 14 studies were included. There were differences in the variables used as markers of carotid disease and DR across the included studies. Ten studies used carotid disease as the dependent variable, and the remainder used DR. All but one study involved cross-sectional data. Most studies reported a statistically significant association between at least one parameter of carotid disease as assessed by ultrasound and DR presence or severity. Only four studies reported no significant association. A common limitation was the use of convenience participant sampling.

CONCLUSIONS

There appears to be an increased likelihood of DR when there is ultrasonographic evidence of carotid disease, and vice versa. The available studies suggest that there may be a direct relationship between DR and carotid macrovascular disease and/or that these complications co-exist due to shared risk factors. If carotid disease is detected, retinal assessment should be performed. If DR is identified, intensive cardiovascular disease risk management should be considered. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to assess the directionality of the association.

Circulating heat shock protein 27 as a novel marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional community-based study

Background

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) has been proposed as a vital protective factor in atherosclerosis. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between circulating HSP27 and carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) in individuals with type 2 diabetes and to determine whether HSP27 represents an independent marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in this patient population.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional community-based study in 186 Chinese subjects with a median duration of type 2 diabetes of 8.2 years who underwent ultrasound carotid IMT measurement. Serum HSP27 levels were assessed by ELISA.

Results

Serum HSP27 levels were significantly higher in the IMT (+, > 1.0 mm) group than in the IMT (−, ≤1.0 mm) group, with the median values of 8.80 ng/mL (5.62–12.25) and 6.93 ng/mL (4.23–9.60), respectively (P = 0.006). The discriminative value of HSP27 to evaluate IMT was 7.16 ng/mL and the area under the curve was 0.72 (95%CI = 0.64–0.80, P = 0.0065). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis demonstrated that the concentrations of circulating HSP27 were positively associated with carotid IMT (r = 0.198, P = 0.007) and blood urea nitrogen (r = 0.170, P < 0.05). Furthermore, in the logistic model, serum HSP27 levels were found to be independent predictors for carotid IMT in type 2 diabetic patients after adjustment for onset age of diabetes, blood pressure, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein (OR = 1.085, P = 0.022).

Conclusions

Circulating HSP27, positively correlates with carotid IMT, is an independent predictor for early atherosclerotic changes in diabetes, and may represent a novel marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.

Retinopathy predicts stroke but not myocardial infarction in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II

Background

Microangiopathy in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but most relevant studies were performed > 10 years ago. CVD risk factor management has since improved. The aim of this study was to determine whether diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its severity increases stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) risk in a contemporary cohort.

Methods

Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II participants with T2D had DR graded from fundus photography at baseline between 2008 and 2011. Subsequent hospitalizations and mortality for MI or stroke were ascertained through validated data linkage to end-2016. Cox regression modelling identified predictors of first stroke and MI including DR presence and severity.

Results

The 1521 participants with T2D and known DR status (mean age 65.6 years, 52.1% males, median diabetes duration 9.0 years) were followed for a mean of 6.6 years. After excluding those with prior MI/stroke, there were 126 incident MIs among 1393 eligible participants and 53 incident strokes in 1473 eligible participants, respectively. Moderate non-proliferative DR (NPDR) or worse was significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of incident stroke (adjusted hazard ratio 2.55 (95% CI 1.19, 5.47), p = 0.016). Retinopathy presence and severity increased the risk of incident MI in unadjusted models (p ≤ 0.001), but these associations were no longer statistically significant after adjusting for other risk factors.

Conclusions

Moderate NPDR or worse was associated with an increased risk of first stroke in Australians with T2D. Intensified CVD risk factor management should be considered for patients with at least moderate NPDR.

Time in Range Is Associated with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Time in range (TIR) is an emerging metric of glycemic control and is reported to be associated with microvascular complications of diabetes. We sought to investigate the association of TIR obtained from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Data from 2215 patients with type 2 diabetes were cross-sectionally analyzed. TIR of 3.9-10.0 mmol/L was evaluated with CGM. CIMT was measured using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography and abnormal CIMT was defined as a mean CIMT ≥1.0 mm. Logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of TIR with CIMT. Results: Compared with patients with normal CIMT, those with abnormal CIMT had significantly lower TIR (P < 0.001). The prevalence of abnormal CIMT progressively decreased across the categories of increasing TIR (P for trend <0.001). In a fully adjusted model controlling for traditional risk factor of CVD, each 10% increase in TIR was associated with 6.4% lower risk of abnormal CIMT. Stratifying the data by sex revealed that TIR was significantly associated with CIMT in males but not in females. In a subset of patients (n = 612) with complete data on diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria, we found that the relationship between TIR and CIMT remained to be significant, regardless of the status of microvascular complications. Conclusions: TIR is associated with CIMT in a large sample of patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a link between TIR and macrovascular disease.

Soluble ST2 is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case-control study

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) is a free form of membrane-bound ST2, which is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family. Previous research has shown that sST2 is associated with diabetes, but cardiovascular risk factors have not been established.To analyze the relationship between sST2 and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).After screening, a total of 118 subjects with T2DM were divided into 2 groups according to the measurement of CIMT (normal CIMT (NCIMT), n = 58; abnormal CIMT (ACIMT), n = 60), and 60 healthy subjects (normal control (NC), n = 60) were recruited in this study. CIMT was measured by a color Doppler ultrasound, and sST2 and other metabolic parameters were measured as well.The median concentration of sST2 was elevated in the ACIMT group (31.30 ng/ml) compared with the NCIMT group (28.29 ng/ml, P < .01) and the NC group (20.15 ng/ml, P < .01). After adjustment for age and sex, log sST2 was strongly associated with smoking history (β = 0.197, 95% CI, 0.084-0.311, P < .01), FPG level (β = 0.302, 95% CI, 0.162-0.442, P < .01) and HbA1c level (β = 0.296, 95% CI, 0.165-0.426, P < .01) and negatively correlated with HDL level (β = -0.153, 95% CI, -0.259 to -0.046, P < .01). Furthermore, sST2 level was a risk factor for increased CIMT in patients with T2DM.Increased sST2 level not only was associated with indicators of glucose and lipid metabolism but also was a risk factor for increased CIMT in patients with T2DM. Thus, sST2 may be a potential novel marker to assess the progression of diabetic macrovascular complications.

Subclinical vascular disease in patients with diabetes is associated with insulin resistance

Patients with diabetes experience increased cardiovascular risk that is not fully explained by deficient glycemic control or traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking and hypercholesterolemia. Asymptomatic patients with diabetes show structural and functional vascular damage that includes impaired vasodilation, arterial stiffness, increased intima-media thickness and calcification of the arterial wall. Subclinical vascular injury associated with diabetes predicts subsequent manifestations of cardiovascular disease, such as ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease and stroke. Noninvasive detection of subclinical vascular disease is commonly used to estimate cardiovascular risk associated to diabetes. Longitudinal studies in normotensive subjects show that arterial stiffness at baseline is associated with a greater risk for future hypertension independently of established risk factors. In patients with type 2 diabetes, vascular disease begins to develop during the latent phase of insulin resistance, long before the clinical diagnosis of diabetes. In contrast, patients with type 1 diabetes do not manifest vascular injury when they are first diagnosed due to insulin deficiency, as they lack the preceding period of insulin resistance. These findings suggest that insulin resistance plays an important role in the development of early vascular disease associated with diabetes. Cross-sectional and prospective studies confirm that insulin resistance is associated with subclinical vascular injury in patients with diabetes, independently of standard cardiovascular risk factors. Asymptomatic vascular disease associated with diabetes begins to occur early in life having been documented in children and adolescents. Insulin resistance should be considered a therapeutic target in order to prevent the vascular complications associated with diabetes.

Comparison of outcomes after carotid endarterectomy between type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients with significant carotid stenosis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare early and late outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) between Korean type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to investigate the impact of diabetes on the overall incidence of cardiovascular events after CEA.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 675 CEAs, which were performed on 613 patients with significant carotid stenosis between January 2007 and December 2014. The CEAs were divided into a type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) group (n = 265, 39.3%) and a non-DM group (n = 410, 60.7%). The study outcomes included the incidence of major adverse events (MAEs), defined as fatal or nonfatal stroke or myocardial infarction or all-cause mortality, during the perioperative period and within 4 years after CEA.

RESULTS

Patients in the DM and non-DM groups did not differ significantly in the incidence of MAEs or any of the individual MAE manifestations during the perioperative period. However, within 4 years after CEA, the difference in the MAE incidence was significantly greater in the DM group (P = 0.040). Analysis of the individual MAE manifestations indicated a significantly higher risk of stroke in the DM group (P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis indicated that diabetes was not associated with MAEs or individual MAE manifestations during the perioperative period, whereas within 4 years after CEA, diabetes was an independent risk factor for MAEs overall (hazard ratio [HR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.48; P = 0.026) and stroke (HR, 2.55; 95% CI 1.20-5.41; P = 0.015) in particular.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic patients were not at greater risk of perioperative MAEs after CEA; however, the risk of late MAE occurrence was significantly greater in these patients. Within 4 years after CEA, DM was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of MAEs overall and stroke in particular.