Relationship between Waist Circumference and Elevation of Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Newly-diagnosed Diabetic Patients

Objective Waist circumference, as a brief indicator of visceral obesity, is associated with multi-metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The present study was aimed to find out the relationship between waist circumference and carotid intima media thickness （C-IMT）, as well as the best waist circumference cutoff for identifying C-IMT elevation in Chinese male patients with newly-diagnosed diabetes. Methods Five hundred and seventy-eight patients from Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Shanghai Sixth People＇s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University were enrolled. Both physical examination （for measurement of waist circumference） and carotid ultrasonography （for measurement of C-IMT） were performed. Results After grouping according to the quartiles of C-IMT, the waist circumference increased across all its quartiles. The waist circumference in 3rd and 4th quartiles （90.7_＋9.8 cm and 90.8＋9.6 cm） was significant higher than in 1st and 2nd quartiles （P〈0.05）. When subjects were divided into 4 groups according to waist circumference, the C-IMT of subjects with waist circumference 90-95 cm was significant higher than that of subjects with waist circumference 85-90 cm and less than 85 cm respectively （P〈0.05）. Both spearman and partial correlation analysis showed that C-IMT was positively correlated with waist circumference （P〈0.01）. C-IMT was found significantly elevated with the increase of waist circumference. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that waist circumference was one of the independent risk factors of C-IMT. After an average of 2.23_＋0.85 years follow up, there was a significant elevation of C-IMT in the group with baseline waist circumference over 90 cm P〈0.05）, while no significant difference was detected in the group with baseline waist circumference less than 90 cm （P=0.27）. Logistic regression showed that baseline waist circumference over 90 cm was associated with a relative risk to C-IMT elevation of 1.132 （95% CI 1.043-1.431, P〈0.05）. Conclusion Among newly-diagnosed diabetic male patients, waist circumference over 90 cm not only reflects sub-clinical atherosclerosis in early stage, but also predicts the progression of atherosclerosis.

The Relationship of Carotid Plaque, Intima Media Thickness (IMT), Resistivity Index (RI) and Pulsatility Index(PI) in Asian-Indian Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke with and without Type2 DM

Aim: To determine the relationship of carotid plaque, intima media thickness (IMT), resistivity index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) and prevalence of different risk factors with acute ischemic stroke and stroke subtypes in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Materials and methods: 80 cases of acute ischemic strokes and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. The plaque, IMT, RI and PI were measured by carotid duplex ultrasound. Results: 31 subjects were Type 2 diabetic, 54 hypertensive while 25 were both diabetic and hypertensive. 23 cases (28.75%) had lacunar stroke (LACI), 32 (40%) stroke involving partial anterior circulation(PACI), 10(12.5%) stroke in posterior circulation (PACI) and 15(18.75%) stroke involving total anterior circulation(TACI) respectively. The mean IMT (0.88 ± 0.19mm), RI(0.76 ± 0.05) and PI(1.71 ± 0.19) of patients and mean IMT (0.6±0.09mm), RI (0.61 ± 0.06) and PI (1.53 ± 0.11) of controls were statistically significant (p-0.000). The mean values of IMT, PI and RI were significantly higher in diabetics (IMT-0.90 ± 0.16 VS 0.64 ± 0.11, p-0.013;PI-1.76 ± 0.20 VS 1.49 ± 0.09, P-0.000 and RI-0.76 ± 0.04 VS 0.59 ± 0.06, P-0.000) and similarly the mean values for IMT, PI and RI in hypertensives as compared to controls (IMT-0.88 ± 0.16 vs 0.65 ± 0.10, P-0.006;PI1.69 ± 0.18 vs 1.49 ± 0.09, P-0.000 and RI 0.76 ± 0.04 vs 0.59 ± 0.06, P-0.000). The mean IMT, PI and RI were increased significantly in smokers compared to controls (IMT-0.93 ± 0.20 vs 0.63 ± 0.06, P-0.000;PI-1.82 ± 0.22 vs 1.49 ± 0.09, P-0.000 and RI-0.77 ± 0.04 vs 0.59 ± 0.06, P-0.000). Type 3 plaque accounted for 27 (56.2%) cases and Type 2 plaque 12 (25%) cases. The total number of plaques in patients as compared to controls were significantly more (P-0.0034) and the mean plaque area was 46 mm2 for cases and 20 mm2 for control (P-0.0001). TACI was the most common type of ischemic stroke seen in DM (60%), HTN (66.6%) and smokers (66.7%). Plaques (73.3%), IMT (0.90 ± 0.12), PI(1.72 ± 0.14) and RI (0.76 ± 0.13) were more commonly associated with TACI subtype. On multivariate analysis using ANOVA, the mean PI was highly significant (0.000) in relation to types of plaque. Summary and Conclusions: IMT, RI, PI and plaque type are useful diagnostic parameters for acute ischemic stroke and its subtypes. They can be used as noninvasive tools for predicting and preventing ischemic stroke in smokers as well as subjects with DM and hypertension.

Correlation between Waist Circumference and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Women from Shanghai, China

Objective To evaluate whether waist circumference （WC） 〉85 cm is related to asymptomatic preclinical atherosclerosis in women from Shanghai, China. Methods A total of 2365 females aged 〉20 years recruited from 4 communities underwent physical examination and carotid artery scanning. Their carotid intima-media thickness （C-iMT） was measured. Results The C-IMT was significantly higher in overweight or obese women with their BMI 〉25.0 kg/m2 {P〈O.01） and in those with their WC _〉85 cm than in those with their WC 〈85 cm （P〈O.01）. Spearman and partial correlation analysis showed that the C-IMT was significantly correlated with WC which was independent of menopausal status. The C-IMT significantly increased with the increasing WC and reached to a platform in about 85 cm. An increment tendency was found in the subgroup with its WC 〈 85 cm （P〈O.01） while no significant tendency was found in the subgroup with its WC_〉85 cm （P=0.07）. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the WC was an independent risk factor for C-IMT. In logistic regression model, the odd ratio of WC _〉80 cm, _〉80 cm and 〈85 cm and 〉85 cm for evaluating the risk of C-IMT elevation was 2.632, 2.501, and 1.878, respectively. Conclusion WC is significantly correlated with C-IMT in women from Shanghai, China, and WC_〉85 cm may be used in identifying the risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Ultrasound Assessraent of Intima-media Thickness and Diameter of Carotid Arteries in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis or Renal Transplantation

Renal transplant （RT） recipients have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of renal transplantation on the development of arteriosclerosis have been controversial. The carotid intima-media thickness （CIMT） and diameter （CD） are important indicators of vascular remodeling and arteriosclerosis. In this study, 31 patients with hemodialysis （HD）, 31 RT recipients and 84 age- and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled. Their CIMT and CD were measured by ultrasonic radiofrequency tracking, and the linear regression models and Z test were used to identify the progression of arteriosclerosis and the risk factors. Compared with HD group, RT group had significantly lower CIMT and CD. CIMT was found to be associated with age, body weight, resistance index and diastolic velocity, while CD was associated significantly with age, body weight, pulsatility index, end diastolic velocity and diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, respectively. The correlation curves between CIMT and age showed the slopes of curves were decreased successively in control, RT and HD groups, and the curves between CD and age showed the slopes were decreased in order of RT 〉 control 〉 HD groups. It was concluded that CIMT and CD were significantly correlated with age in RT and moderately with age in HD patients. RT could reduce the progress of arteriosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Relationship between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Diabetes Clinical Risk Factors among Normotensive Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Native Black African Population

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with atherosclerosis with changes in the thickness of the intima-media of carotid arteries which causes increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this group of patients. The carotid artery reflects the degree of atherosclerosis in the various vessels especially coronary arteries. Measurement of the carotid artery thickness with real time, relatively cheap and non-invasive ultrasonography method is used in monitoring atherosclerotic disease progression and response to treatment. This study is aimed at ultrasonographic evaluation of the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in adult Type 2 Diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic healthy controls matched for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). And to also determine its association if any with selected clinical factors among a native Black African population. Methodology: This was a prospective case control study involving 54 adult type 2 diabetics and 54 adult non-diabetic controls. CIMT was measured at 3 segments of the extracranial carotid arteries by a 7.5 - 10 MHz linear transducer of a portable Mindray M5 ultrasound machine. Results: Among the native black African population studied, there was significant difference in CIMT of adult type 2 diabetics compared to healthy non-diabetics adults (p value = 0.012 and 0.001 on the right and left respectively). The mean carotid intima-media thickness in diabetics was 0.81 mm and 0.85 mm, while in non-diabetics it was 0.74 mm and 0.75 mm on the right and left respectively. The presence of diabetes showed independent positive correlation with CIMT (beta: 0.24, p value = 0.004). Age (beta: 0.30, p value = 0.001) and plasma cholesterol level (beta: 0.30, p value = 0.013) also had positive correlation with CIMT. Conclusion: There was statistically significant difference in carotid intima-media thickness between adult type 2 diabetics and age, sex matched non-diabetics. DM showed independent correlation with CIMT.

Clinical and dietary predictors of common carotid artery intima media thickness in a population with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study

AIM To determine the clinical and dietary predictors of common carotid artery intima media thickness(CCA IMT) in a cohort of subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. METHODS Participants with type 1(n = 23) and type 2 diabetes(n = 127) had mean and mean maximum CCA IMT measured using B mode ultrasound. Dietary intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire. Clinical and dietary predictors of mean and mean maximum CCA IMT were determined using linear regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS The main predictors of mean and mean maximum CCA IMT were age and weight. After multivariate adjustment there were no dietary predictors of CCA IMT. However,in subjects that were not prescribed a lipid lowering medication alcohol consumption was positively associated with CCA IMT after multivariate adjustment. No difference existed in CCA IMT between subjects with type 1 or type 2 diabetes once age was adjusted for. CONCLUSION CCA IMT was predominantly predicted by age and weight in these subjects with diabetes. The finding that CCA IMT was not different between people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes warrants further investigation in a larger cohort.

Relationship between peripheral arterial disease, carotid intima-media thickness and C-reactive protein in elderly diabetic patients

Purpose: To study the association between carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) level as markers for PAD in elderly patients with DM. Subjects: A case-control study on 90 participants aged 60 years and older divided into 60 cases (30 patients with DM alone and 30 patients with DM and comorbidities) and 30 healthy controls. All were assessed by measuring CIMT, ankle brachial index (AB), and markers for cardiovascular disease such as high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL). Results: hs-CRP levels showed statistically significant difference being highest among patients with DM and comorbidities and lowest among controls (P < 0.001). Also, symptoms of PAD were significantly higher among cases than controls. ABI was able to detect PAD in many asymptomatic patients. Color changes were present in only 43.30% (n = 26) of positive PAD cases while delayed wound healing, claudication pain, rest pain, cold extremities, and trophic changes were present in 23.30% (n = 14), 16.71% (n = 10), 16.71% (n = 10), 45.00% (n = 27), and 21.7% (n = 13). Using logistic regression analysis revealed that DM, CIMT, and hs-CRP were independent predictors for PAD (OR = 4.194, 7.236, 1.003;P value = 0.044, 0.25, 0.031) after adjustment of other coronary risk factors such as sex, smoking, hypertension, TC, and TG. Conclusion: Diabetic elderly have higher prevalence of asymptomatic PAD thannon-diabetics using solely ABI. DM, CIMT, and hs-CRP are independent predictors for the occurrence of PAD. Hs-CRP levels are highest among diabetics with comorbidities.

Determining factors for carotid mean/max intima-media thickness and brachial flow-mediated dilation in healthy young women

Background: Many factors can contribute to atherosclerotic-type vascular changes in older individuals or men. Thus, confining the investigation to young women with no clinical evidence of the condition could enhance understanding of the early stages of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether carotid mean/max intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) values, which are well-known event-related indices, are associated with laboratory data and the other vascular indices of atherosclerosis in healthy young women. Methods: Carotid mean/max IMT and brachial FMD were measured in young women with no clinical evidence of atherosclerosis (n = 110;mean age, 39 years) who were instructed not to eat, drink or smoke after 9 PM the evening before testing. All participants also underwent laboratory assessment, including simultaneous measurements of arterial stiffness such as augmentation index (AI), cardioankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Results: Mean IMT was signifi-cantly and positively associated with age (p = 0.002), CAVI (p = 0.044), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, p = 0.047) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP, p = 0.002) values but was not related to FMD, AI, baPWV or triglycerides (TG) in the multivariate regression analysis. Similarly, max IMT was positively associated with age (p p = 0.003) and hs-CRP (p = 0.005) values but was not related to FMD, AI, CAVI, baPWV, TG or blood pressure level in the multivariate regression analysis. The association between LDL-C and max IMT was much stronger than that between LDL-C and mean IMT. Brachial FMD was positively associated only with heart rate in the multivariate regression analysis. Conclusions: These results suggest that mean IMT more closely represents the sclerotic aspect of vascular change, whereas max IMT represents the atherotic aspect in healthy young women. Although the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and heart rate is well-known, there may be a complex interaction between the autonomic nervous system and endothelial function.

常规体检指标对颈动脉硬化发生的预测价值

目的探讨常规体检指标如性别、年龄、血压、血脂、同型半胱氨酸等在颈动脉硬化发生的预测价值。方法采用回顾性研究方法。选取2016年1月至2021年12月连续6年在我院接受健康体检人群985例作为研究对象。收集受试者一般资料、体格检查指标、实验室检查指标、颈动脉超声结果等信息。受试者在随访中经颈动脉超声诊断为颈动脉内中膜厚度(cIMT)>1mm或有颈动脉斑块形成则被认为出现颈动脉粥样硬化进展并结束随访。受试者若未出现颈动脉粥样硬化进展,则直至2021年12月随访结束。将研究对象按随访过程中cIMT是否增加分为硬化组、进展组和对照组。分析颈动脉硬化发生的影响因素,并采用受试者操作特征曲线分析体检指标对颈动脉硬化的诊断效能。结果进展组在颈动脉硬化发病后TC、LDL-C、FBG、UA、Hcy和SBP均高于发生前,HDL-C低于发病前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);硬化组除HDL-C和Hcy指标差异没有统计学意义外,其他指标如男性比例、年龄、TC、TG、LDL-C、FBG、UA、SBP、DBP、BMI指标均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);其中FBG、LDL-C和SBP为颈动脉硬化发生的独立风险因素(OR=5.505、4.222、1.071,P<0.05),以上指标联合诊断颈动脉硬化的曲线下面积高于各项单独检测,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论FBG、LDL-C和BMP与颈动脉硬化的发生密切相关,联合检测对颈动脉硬化有较好的诊断效能。

TyG和TyG-BMI与冠心病患者颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性

目的分析冠心病患者颈动脉粥样硬化与TyG及TyG-BMI的关系。方法选取2021年1月~2022年12月天津市人民医院心内科收治并进行冠脉造影和颈动脉超声检查患者592例为研究对象。依据冠脉造影结果分为正常对照组(n=103)及CAD组(n=489)。收集患者临床资料,计算TyG指数和TyG-BMI水平。分析TyG和TyG-BMI与冠心病患者颈动脉病变程度的相关性。结果与正常对照组比较,CAD组TyG指数和TyGBMI水平明显升高(均P<0.01)。按照Gensini评分三分位数将患者分为三组,中分组(均P<0.05)和高分组(均P<0.01)TyG指数和TyG-BMI水平显著高于低分组。高分组TyG指数和TyG-BMI水平显著高于中分组(均P<0.01)。Spearman相关性分析显示TyG与TyG-BMI和Gensini评分呈现正相关,且TyG指数关联性更强(均P<0.01)。与颈动脉正常组相比,颈动脉粥样硬化组TyG指数更高(P<0.01),TyG-BMI更高(P<0.05)。二元Logistic回归分析发现年龄(OR=1.114,95%CI:1.05~1.18,P<0.01)与高血压(OR=2.913,95%CI:1.27~6.70,P<0.05)是颈动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素),HDL-C(OR=0.108,95%CI:0.03~0.43,P<0.01)是保护因素。多元Logistic回归分析结果提示高水平TyG和TyG-BMI是颈动脉斑块形成的危险因素。以颈动脉正常为参照,排除混杂因素(如性别、年龄、BMI、收缩压、吸烟史、高血压病史、糖尿病史、药物服用情况)后,高TyG指数组CAD患者发生颈动脉斑块形成的风险是低TyG组的2.56倍,高TyG-BMI组发生颈动脉斑块的风险是低水平TyG-BMI组的4.35倍。Spearman相关性分析发现,TyG指数和颈动脉斑块厚度呈显著正相关(P<0.05),而TyGBMI和斑块厚度无相关。ROC曲线分析结果显示,TyG指数对冠心病患者合并颈动脉斑块形成具有较好的预测价值。结论TyG指数和TyG-BMI是冠心病患者颈动脉斑块形成的危险因素,且TyG指数对颈动脉斑块的预测价值优于TyG-BMI。

系统性红斑狼疮患者心外膜脂肪厚度与心血管疾病风险的相关性

目的:研究系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者心外膜脂肪组织厚度(EFT)的改变,并探讨其与心脏彩超参数及心血管疾病(CVD)传统危险因素的相关性。方法:纳入2019年10月至2021年10月于我院住院的SLE患者作为病例组,同期健康人群作为对照组,测量2组的EFT,根据EFT是否增厚将SLE患者分为增厚组及不增厚组,比较2组炎症指标、心脏彩超参数及CVD传统危险因素之间的差异,并应用Logistic回归分析寻找EFT的危险因素。结果:SLE组患者的EFT[4.40(2.60)mm]较对照组[3.10(1.60)mm]显著增厚(P<0.001)。病例组患者中EFT增厚者占42.0%(76/131),对照组EFT增厚者仅占9.5%(9/95)。病例组中EFT增厚组与不增厚组比较结果显示,EFT增厚组的年龄、体质量指数(BMI)、左心房直径(LAD)、右心室内径(RVD)、室间隔厚度(IVST)、左心室后壁厚度(LVPWT)及颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)均显著高于不增厚组。EFT与年龄、病程、BMI、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白、LAD、RVD、IVST、LVPWT及CIMT等呈正相关。Logistic回归分析显示LVPWT增加是EFT增厚的危险因素。结论:SLE患者的EFT增厚与心脏结构或功能参数的改变相关,提示应对EFT增厚及心脏结构或功能参数异常的SLE患者进一步筛查心血管病变的危险因素。

早发型2型糖尿病患者子女颈动脉全息血管硬度及影响因素分析

目的评估早发型2型糖尿病患者子女颈动脉弹性功能,并分析影响其弹性的因素。资料与方法前瞻性分析2020年10月—2021年8月河南省人民医院2型糖尿病患者子女63例,根据其父母糖尿病发病年龄(<40岁为早发型,≥40岁为晚发型)分为父母早发糖尿病子女组(早发组,32例)和父母晚发糖尿病子女组(晚发组,31例)。同期选择32例年龄、性别及体重指数相匹配的健康志愿者作为对照组。应用全息血管内-中膜厚度测量和全息血管硬度分析技术测量受试者颈总动脉内-中膜厚度、血管壁位移、血管收缩期管径、硬度指数和脉搏波传导速度,比较上述参数的组间差异。结果早发组颈动脉内-中膜厚度、脉搏波传导速度、硬度指数高于晚发组及对照组(t=0.054~1.228,P均<0.05),血管壁位移低于晚发组及对照组(t=0.048、0.109,P<0.05)。结论2型糖尿病患者子女颈动脉僵硬度明显高于正常对照组,且早发组的颈动脉弹性下降较晚发组更明显。

健康体检人群颈动脉粥样硬化流行趋势

目的:回顾性分析2008—2017年健康体检人群颈动脉粥样硬化检出率变化趋势。方法:收集北京市体检中心2008—2017年184416例健康体检人群的相关数据,按年度分组,每年为一组;按年龄和性别分层,计算颈动脉粥样硬化检出率,并进行标化后分析10年间健康体检人群颈动脉粥样硬化检出率变化趋势。按年龄分为18~29岁组、30~39岁组、40~49岁组、50~59岁组、60~69岁组和70岁以上组,按性别分为男性组和女性组。结果:健康体检人群颈动脉粥样硬化检出率10年来呈总体上升趋势,男性各年龄组颈动脉粥样硬化检出率均高于女性(P<0.05),与2008年比较,2017年男性颈动脉粥样硬化检出率升高了16.45个百分点,女性升高了17.56个百分点。男女颈动脉斑块、颈动脉内中膜增厚检出率均呈上升趋势(P<0.05),各年度男性颈动脉内中膜增厚检出率均高于女性(P<0.05),与2008年比较,2017年男性颈动脉斑块检出率升高了21.60个百分点,女性升高了10.67个百分点。30岁以上男女各年龄组颈动脉粥样硬化检出率呈上升趋势(P<0.05)。40~59岁两个年龄组颈动脉粥样硬化上升趋势明显高于其他年龄组。结论:体检人群颈动脉粥样硬化水平近10年总体均呈上升趋势,40~59岁人群是颈动脉粥样硬化预防的重点人群。

Association between fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels and carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of fasting and postpiandial triglyceride with carotid intima-media thickness among type 2 diabetic patients in southeast China. METHODS: A total of 78 type 2 diabetic patients from southeast China were recruited. All the subjects underwent a standardized mixed-meal test (SMMT) and an oral glucose tolerance test. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by color doppler ultrasound examination. RESULTS: Postprandial triglyceride (PTG) after SMMT increased significantly in type 2 diabetic patients. The carotid IMT in patients with postprandial hypertriglyceridemia was significantly greater than that in patients with postprandial normal-triglyceridemia (0.90 mm vs 0.81 mm, P 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that postprandial hypertriglyceridemia may be an independent risk factor of early atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.

Effect of short term intensive multitherapy on carotid intima-media thickness in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background Controlling plasma glucose levels, blood pressure and lipid levels is proven to reduce the risk of vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This has prompted intensive multitherapy targeted at several macrovascular risk factors. Carotid intima-media thickness （cIMT） is a reliable measure of early atherosclerosis. We sought to determine whether a 6-month intensive mutiltherapy program resulted in better goal attainment than usual care and its effect on the development of cIMT among patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods The study randomly assigned 220 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus to intensive or traditional therapy groups. The clinical parameters, such as fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood pressure, body weight and insulin were assessed at the baseline and after the 6-month therapy, cIMT of the patients was also obtained. Results The average levels of fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin Alc, total cholesterol （TC） and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） in the intensive group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the end of 6-month treatment. By 6 months, a higher proportion of patients in the intensive therapy group than in the control group attained goals for fasting plasma glucose （FPG）, TC, LDL-C and hemoglobin Alc. With intensive multherapy the level of carotid intima-media thickness in the intensive therapy group was lower than that in the control group （（0.88±0.26） mm vs （0.96±0.22） mm, P 〈0.01）. Conclusions The evidence from this clinical trial demonstrates that intensive glucose, lipid and blood pressure control in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes is associated with diabetic macrovascular benefits. Intensive multitherapy allows more patients to achieve aims of control and may reduce macrovascular complications and delay disease progression.

Association between Carotid Intima-media Thickness and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Glu504Lys Polymorphism in Chinese Han with Essential Hypertension

Background： Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 （ALDH2） is involved in the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies showed that mutant ALDH2 could increase oxidative stress and is a susceptible factor for hypertension. In addition, wild-type ALDH2 could improve the endothelial functions, therefore reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to explore the frequency of the Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene and its relation to carotid intima-media thickness （CIMT） in a group of patients with essential hypertension （EH） and to investigate the association between the Glu504Lys polymorphism and CIMT in Chinese Han patients with EH. Methods： In this study, 410 Chinese Han patients with EH who received physical examinations at the People＇s Hospital of Sichuan Province （China） were selected. DNA microarray chip was used for the genotyping of the Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene. The differences in CIMT among patients with different Glu504Lys ALDH2 genotypes were analyzed. Results： The mean CIMT of the patients carrying AA/AG and GG genotypes was 1.02 ± 0.31 mm and 0.78 ±0.28 mm, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed that the CIMT of the patients carrying the AA/AG genotype was significantly higher than in the ones carrying the GG genotype （P 〈 0.001）. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the Glu504Lys AA/AG genotype of the ALDH2 gene was one of the major factors influencing the CIMT in patients with EH （odds ratio = 3.73 l, 95% confidence interval = 1.589-8.124, P = 0.001）. Conclusions： The Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene is associated with the CIMT of Chinese Han patients with EH in Sichuan, China.

Association among plasma interleukin-18 levels, carotid intimamedia thickness and severity of obstructive sleep apnea

Background Epidermic studies have suggested a pathophysiological link between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome （OSAHS） and atherosclerosis （AS）; for which carotid intima-media thickness （IMT） has been considered as an early marker. The pathogenesis by which OSAHS can induce AS has not been elucidated. This study was conducted to investigate the association among plasma interleukin-18 （IL-18） levels, carotid IMT and the severity of OSAHS. Methods Based on the apnea hypopnea index （AHI） during sleep monitored by polysomnography, 52 male patients with OSAHS were recruited as the OSAHS group which was further divided into mild OSAHS （n=16）, moderate OSAHS （n=18）, and severe OSAHS （n=18） subgroups. Eighteen healthy subjects were selected as the control group. Of all OSAHS patients, 20 with moderate-to-severe OSAHS underwent continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） treatment for 90 days. HDL5000 color Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure carotid IMT. Plasma IL-18 levels were measured bv ELISA.Results Compared with the plasma IL-18 levels in the control group （（250.27±76.48） pg/ml）, there was a significant increase in the mild OSAHS subgroup （（352.08±76.32） pg/ml）, the moderate subgroup （（600.17±83.91） pg/ml）, and the severe OSAHS subgroup （（9797.64 ± 109.83） pg/ml） （all P〈0.01）. Moreover, there was a significant difference in plasma IL-18 levels among the three OSAHS subgroups （P〈0.01）. Carotid IMT was significantly greater in the severe OSAHS subgroup than in the mild OSAHS subgroup （P〈0.01）. Before CPAP treatment, plasma IL-18 levels were positively correlated with carotid IMT （r=0.486, P 〈0.001） and with AHI （r=0.865, P〈0.001）. On day 90 of CPAP treatment, plasma IL-18 levels were significantly declined but carotid IMT was not changed significantly. Conclusions In untreated OSAHS patients carotid IMT and plasma IL-18 were positively correlated and were significantly higher than in normal controls; the elevation of plasma IL-18 levels was correlated with the severity of OSAHS. Inflammatory response associated with OSAHS may be related to the development of AS. By improving AHI, miniSaO2, and reducing plasma IL-18 levels, CPAP treatment may slow down or prevent the development of AS in OSAHS patients.

Impaired brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and increased carotid intima-media thickness in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background Carotid artery intima-media thickness （CIMT） and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation percentage （FMD%） are common parameters used for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis. This study compared subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid and brachial arteries in rheumatoid arthritis （RA） patients and healthy controls using high resolution ultrasonography. We also investigated their correlation with clinical factors and the association between FMD% and CIMT.

非酒精性脂肪性肝病严重程度与颈动脉斑块、内-中膜厚度相关性研究及危险因素分析

目的:探讨非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)严重程度与颈动脉斑块、内-中膜厚度(cIMT)之间的关系,并分析其危险因素。方法:收集2021年1至11月行肝脏、颈动脉超声检查并诊断为NAFLD的患者154例,评估患者NAFLD严重程度、颈动脉斑块及血管狭窄程度测量患者cIMT值,计算肝纤维化评分,并进行统计学分析。结果:NAFLD轻度组患者cIMT值、血管狭窄发生率低于中-重度组患者(W=6905.500,P<0.001);有颈动脉斑块组患者cIMT值明显高于无颈动脉斑块组患者(W=3361.500,P<0.001);BMI是NAFLD严重程度的独立危险因素,年龄和NAFLD严重程度是cIMT的独立危险因素,年龄、高血压、肝纤维化评分是颈动脉斑块出现的独立危险因素,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:NAFLD患者cIMT的增加、颈动脉狭窄与NAFLD严重程度有关,其颈动脉斑块发生率与cIMT呈正相关。另外,其肝纤维化评分增加,对颈动脉斑块出现也有提示意义。

Pre-clinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid artery intimamedia thickness and the risk factors in children

Background Atherosclerosis as a cardiovascular disease was found to begin even in the fetal period. However, information about risk factors of pre-clinical atherosclerosis in childhood has been limited. Hence, this study was aimed to find out the risk factors of atherosclerosis by measuring the carotid artery intima-media thickness in children. High resolution B-mode ultrasound used to examine the carotid artery inUma-media thickness was demonstrated to be useful in finding the early carotid structural changes. Methods The study included 79 children who were divided into two groups according to their ages： group I consisted of 42 children with ages from 5 to 9 years and group II consisted of 37 children with ages from 10 to 18 years, Among them, 23 had a positive family history for risk, such as hypertension, obesity or dyslipidemia. Blood samples were collected and total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein were assayed. The carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured by ultrasound. Comparisons were done between the two groups using Student＇s t tests and Chi-square analysis. Body mass index, blood pressure, levels of lipids, family history and the carotid artery intima-media thickness were calculated by conditional logistic regression analysis. Results Compared with the children without a positive family history, the incidence of the increased carotid artery intima-media thickness was significantly high （X^2=4.364, P〈0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences between left and right carotid arteries in carotid artery intima-media thickness （P〉0.05）. In this study, diastolic blood pressure and the atherosclerosis index were suggested to be the risk factors to the thickened carotid artery intima-media thickness. In group I the diastolic blood pressure＇s odds radio was 1.187 （P=-0.035） and the atheroscterosis index odds radio was 37.165 （P=-0.001）; in group II the diastolic blood pressure＇s odds radio was 1.371 （P=0.009） and the atherosclerosis index odds radio was 30.724 （P=-0.015）. Conclusion The diastolic blood pressure and atherosclerosis index were the risk factors in pre-clinical arthrosclerosis. Regularly monitoring the high-risk children for the development and progression of vascular lesion would be of great value in avoiding and preventing cardiovascular disease.