Aims: We aimed to study carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in asymptomatic patients with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in a pre-diabetic state.
Methods: Diabetes risk assessment was performed in 2420 participants in a voluntary screening program between 2011 and 2013. The risk of T2DM was estimated by the Findrisc scoring system (FR). A FR≥12 was considered as increased risk. HbA1c% between 5.7 and 6.4% signified a pre-diabetic state. Carotid duplex scan was performed and CIMT above 0.9 mm was regarded as pathological. Patients with T2DM or a history of cardiovascular disease were excluded.
Results: Overall 1475 subjects were included. Four groups were compared: "control" (normal HbA1c, FR<12), "HbA1c only" (HbA1c: 5.7-6.4%, FR<12), "Findrisc only" (normal HbA1c, FR≥12) and "combined" (HbA1c: 5.7-6.4%, FR≥12). Frequency of pathological maximal CIMT was 9.4%, 19.7%, 27.4% and 36.4% in the groups, respectively (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to control subjects, sex and risk factor-adjusted Odds Ratios for the presence of pathological maximal CIMT were 2.2 (p<0.001), 3.4 (p<0.001) and 5.1 (p<0.001) for the groups, respectively.
Conclusions: Evaluation of Findrisc score and HbA1c at population level may facilitate early recognition of subclinical vascular complications even in the pre-diabetic state.
Keywords: Cardiovascular complications; Carotid intima media thickness; Findrisc score; Prediabetes; Subclinical atherosclerosis.
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