Carotid artery disease in Sudanese diabetic patients asymptomatic for cerebrovascular disease

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis and likewise carotid artery disease which can be detected usingcarotid ultrasound examinations. The study undertaken in a group of asymptomatic type 2 Sudanese diabetic patients to assess the prevalence of carotid artery disease. Intima-media thickness [IMT], the presence and degree of carotid artery stenosis were assessed by ultrasonography in 63 diabetic subjects. The findings of ultrasound examinations were correlated to the patients' clinical information. Abnormal IMT found in 65% of the studied subjects a degree of carotid artery stenosis in 31.7%. More than 50% carotid artery stenosis in 14.3%. The results also showed association between the abnormal findings increasing age, female gender, prolonged duration of the disease. Presence of carotid artery disease in diabetic patients asymptomatic for cerebrovascular disease, the increasing frequency of these abnormalities with increasing subject's age, and duration of illness was also investigated and it was found to decrease when the concentration is increased