Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A predictor of Atherosclerotic Burden in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

[摘要] Background: The most important risk factor of ischemic stroke is Diabetes Mellitus (DM) which is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Patients with type 2 DM have greater risk of carotid artery intima-media thickness which is important cause of cerebral ischemia. Objective: This study assessed the possible use of common carotid artery intima-medial thickness and plaque as a marker of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 DM. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 127 patients with type 2 DM, divided into 2 groups. Group 1: 111 patients with chronic ischemic cerebral symptoms and group 2: 16 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Both groups underwent full neurological examination, laboratory tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and carotid ultrasonography. Results: There was significantly increased prevalence of most risk factors [age, duration of DM, smoking, ischemic heart disease and higher values of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)] in group 2 than group 1 patients. Mean common carotid artery intima-medial thickness( >1.5 mm) and numbers of carotid plaques were significantly greater in group 2 patients compared to group I. Brain MRI in group 1  was  normal in  17  patients, showed chronic ischemia in 39 cases,  lacunar  infarctions  in 53  but all cases of group 2 showed acute ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Increased common carotid artery intima-media thickness and plaques score were correlated with acute ischemic stroke in patients with type2 diabetes mellitus. [Egypt J Neurol Psychiat Neurosurg.  2011; 48(2): 103-110]

[学科分类] 精神健康和精神病学