The association of diabetes mellitus with carotid atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in the Corinthia study.

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 non-significant 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.