Increased Echolucency of Carotid Plaques in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
From: Clinical Research Unit, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. gerd.ostling@med.lu.se
Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation
- Publish Date: Jul 2007
- ISSN: 1524-4628
- Volume: 38
- Issue: 7
- Pages: 2074-8
- Medium: Internet
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Ostling Gerd, Hedblad Bo, Berglund Göran, et al. Increased Echolucency of Carotid Plaques in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.. Stroke Jul 2007;38:2074-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diabetes is associated with the presence of moderate to large atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Previous carotid ultrasound studies have associated plaques with low echogenicity with a higher risk of cerebrovascular events. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients with type 2 diabetes have different plaque echogenicity than do nondiabetic subjects. METHODS: Forty-seven type 2 diabetic and 51 nondiabetic subjects with a carotid plaque in the right artery were included in this study. All patients were born in 1935 to 1936 and were participants in a population-based study. Carotid ultrasonography was performed and the risk factors for cardiovascular disease were determined. Plaque echogenicity was assessed quantitatively on B-mode ultrasound images by standardized gray-scale median values. RESULTS: Gray-scale median values were significantly lower, indicating more echolucent plaques, in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with nondiabetics (37.0+/-14.8 vs 45.5+/-15.4, P=0.007). Of the other risk factors studied, only triglycerides were significantly associated with the echogenicity of the plaque. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 2 diabetes have more echolucent plaques compared with nondiabetic subjects. This might be associated with the higher risk of cardiovascular events among diabetics.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Aged, Atherosclerosis, Carotid Stenosis, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Ultrasonography
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 17525393
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