Carotid artery structural and functional evaluation in relatives of type 2 diabetic patients.
BACKGROUND
In Western countries type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly from cardiovascular causes. Since a family history of diabetes, even in non-diabetic subjects, is regarded as an increased risk of coronary heart disease, the use of approved surrogate markers of early atherosclerosis, specially of ultrasonic measurements of the carotid arteries, is of vital importance.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the structural properties (intima-media thickness) and functional properties (distensibility measurement) of the carotid arteries in subjects with (FH+) a family history of type 2 diabetes, in comparison to subjects without (FH-) a family history of type 2 diabetes, both groups with no known cardiovascular risk factors.


METHODS
32 individuals (male and female, age range, 21-47 years; 19 FH+, 13 FH-) had their right and left common and internal carotid arteries measured, using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Both groups had similar (p>0.05) age, BMI, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose and insulin, leptin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.


RESULTS
The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the left common carotid artery (LCCA) in the FH+ group (0.568+/-0.107mm) was statistically greater (p=0.029) than in the FH- group (0.477+/-0.116mm). Multiple regression analysis identified age, overweight and obesity (determined by BMI), CRP, and LDL-cholesterol levels as independent predictors of the IMT in the LCCA.


CONCLUSIONS
FH+ individuals with no metabolic disorders presented greater IMT of the left common carotid artery (structural alteration) than FH- individuals, but normal vessel function.
Prado
Sônia Silva
SS
Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil. ssprado@cardiol.br
Ribeiro
Mário Luiz
ML
Cardoso
Gilberto Perez
GP
Bousquet-Santos
Kelb
K
Velarde
Luis Guillermo Coca
LG
Nóbrega
Antônio Cláudio Lucas da
AC
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers