FREQUENCY OF INCREASED CAROTID ARTERY INTIMAL MEDIAL THICKNESS AMONG PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Diabetes mellitis is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide and a major risk factor for cardiovascular
disease. Sonographic measurement of carotid artery intimal medial thickness may be used as a predictor of cardiovascular
risk. The objective of our study was to determine the frequency of increased carotid artery intimal medial
thickness among patients with diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted at Radiology Department Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar from
Jan 10, 2014 to July 10, 2014 (6 months). We enrolled 174 patients with age >30 years having diabetes for at least 5
years, excluding patients with history of stroke, myocardial infarction or any ischemic event. After informed consent,
all patients were subjected to 7 MHz B-mode ultrasound to detect high CIMT which was defined as the distance of
>0.9mm between lumen-intima and media-adventitia interfaces. The data including age, gender and high CMIT were
recorded in a pre designed proforma. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 10. Quantitative variable like age was
described in terms of means + standard deviation. Categorical data like gender and increased CIMT were described
in the terms of frequency and percentages. All results were presented as tables and diagrams.
Results: Mean age was 53.07years+11.83SD. Male to female ratio was 0.76:1. There were 33(18.97%) patients having
increased CIMT diagnosed through ultrasound.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of increased CIMT in our patients with diabetes.
Key Words: Carotid artery stenosis,carotid artery intima media thickness, Coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus