The prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas on the panoramic radiographs of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which afflicts 15 million Americans, is associated with accelerated cervical carotid artery atherosclerosis and a heightened risk of stroke. This study attempted to determine the prevalence of calcified atherosclerotic lesions in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
The panoramic radiographs of 49 men (age range, 55 to 81; mean age, 66.2 years) receiving routine dental treatment and insulin for diabetes at a Department of Affairs Veterans clinic were evaluated for calcified atheromas. Age-match controls, free of diabetes, were assessed in a like manner. Statistical comparison of the atheroma prevalence rates was by means of the Fisher exact test, and statistical comparison of atherogenic risk factors was by means of t test with Bonferroni adjustment and, where necessary, the Mann-Whitney U test.


RESULTS
The radiographs of the diabetics (mean age, 66.9 years) revealed that 20.4% had atheromas whereas those of the controls (mean age, 68.1 years) demonstrated that 4% had atheromas (a statistically significant difference; P =.0275). Also statistically significant was the prevalence of atherogenic risk factors (plasma glucose, low-density lipoproteins, and serum triglycerides) identified in the diabetic group. The radiographic appearance of the atheromas manifested by both groups of individuals, however, was similar, with the lesions located 1.5-2.5 cm inferior-posterior to angle of the mandible.


CONCLUSIONS
People with type 2 diabetes have a greater prevalence of calcified atheromas on their panoramic radiographs than do nondiabetics.
Friedlander
A H
AH
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, UCLA Dental School, UCLA Medical Center, Sepulveda, CA 91343, USA.
Maeder
L A
LA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data