Stiffness index beta of the common carotid and femoral arteries: relation to insulin resistance

ABSTRACT

This work was intended to study the association between arterial wall stiffness indexes beta of the common carotid and femoral arteries and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients as well as patients with imparied glucose tolerance compared with age and sex matched control subjects. The study included 60 subjects classified into 3 groups; I] included 20 patients with type 2 diabetes, II] included 20 patients with IGT and III] included 20 matched controls. All patients and controls were subjected to the followings complete history taking, thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations including HBA1C, uric acid, complete lipid profile, microalbumin assay, renal and liver function tests. Measurement of insulin sensitivity by oral glucose tolerance test. Stiffness indexes beta of the common carotid and femoral arteries were measured by high resolution ultrasonography. The results of the present work can be summarized as follows the stiffenss index beta [SI] of the common carotid and femoral arteries was significantly higher in diabetic group than those with IGT and controls [P< 0.001] for each], still those with IGT was insignificantly higher than controls [P < 0.05]. Also, stiffness index [SI] of the common carotid and femoral arteries was positively and significantly correlated with relative insulin resistance, total cholesterolm serum tryglycerides, LDL-C, uric acid, age and the duration of diabetes [P < 0.05]. Our results suggest that the stiffness indexes beta of the common carotid and femoral arteries were associated with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients and such insulin resistance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of these sclerotic changes