Diagnostic Value of Carotid Artery Intima-media Thickness in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and its Correlation with HbA1c Levels

This study aimed to assess the role of carotid ultrasonography and measure the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and its correlation with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to observe cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

In this observational study, 205 consecutive patients with T2DM from Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, were included. We performed HbA1c measurements using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a thermo-system. Carotid arteries ultrasonography was performed with an Aloka SSD 5500 apparatus with a 7.5 MHz transducer. The CIMT was measured in the supine position with a slight neck extension.

There was no statistically significant difference between the two study groups in the duration of diabetes with CIMT (P = 0.425), while the differences in creatinine, HbA1c, and urine albumin were statistically significant (P = 0.020, P = 0.041, and P = 0.016, respectively). There was no correlation between CIMT and age (r = 0.19, P = 0.792) and duration of diabetes (r = 0.125, P = 0.081). Furthermore, there was no remarkable association between CIMT and weight (r = 0.12, P = 0.881) and FBS ( r = 0.062, P = 0.405). There was also a non-significant negative correlation between HbA1c% and CIMT (r = -0.127, P = 0.127).

Ultrasound measurement of CIMT is a safe and relatively cost-effective way of diagnosing atherosclerosis. Thus, the ultrasound’s predictive value as a safe and non-invasive examination may alert the related field experts early enough to intervene to prevent major cardiovascular complications.