Background and aims: Evaluation of arterial stiffness and carotid
atherosclerotic burden can provide important prognostic information
regarding the risk of future cardiovascular events. The aim of this
study was to assess these vascular properties in patients with diabetes
mellitus (DM). Methods and results: In the context of the observational
“Corinthia” study, we analyzed 1757 participants with determined DM
status. Carotid ultrasonography was performed to evaluate intima-media
thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque burden. Arterial stiffness was
estimated via assessment of carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity
(cfPWV). Individuals with DM had increased mean cIMT, maximum cIMT,
carotid plaque burden, and cfPWV compared to those without DM. After
multivariable regression analysis, the presence of DM was still
associated with significantly increased mean cIMT (by 0.074 mm, p =
.004), maximum cIMT (by 0.134 mm, p = .007), cfPWV (by 0.929 m/s, p <
.001), and a higher prevalence of carotid plaques (odds ratio 1.52, 95%
confidence intervals 1.11, 2.10, p = .01). In a propensity score-matched
cohort, mean cIMT, maximum cIMT, and carotid plaque burden were
significantly higher in individuals with DM. Analysis according to
territory of cIMT measurement displayed substantial differences in left
(DM: 1.32 +/- 0.78 mm vs. no DM: 1.20 +/- 0.66 mm, p = .04) and right
carotid bulbs (DM: 1.33 +/- 0.82 mm vs. no DM: 1.18 +/- 0.69 mm, p =
.02) with respect to DM status while nonsignificant variations were
observed in left (DM: 0.98 +/- 0.49 mm vs. no DM: 0.91 +/- 0.35 mm, p =
.06) and right common carotid artery (DM: 0.95 +/- 0.50 mm vs. no DM:
0.92 +/- 0.40 mm, p = .36). Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus is associated
with increased cfPWV and cIMT, with more pronounced lesions in the
carotid bulb. (c) 2021 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society
for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition
and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II
University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved