association between carotid intima-media thickness and the duration of type 1 diabetes in children

Carotid intima-media thickness [cIMT] has been known as a criterion of generalized atherosclerosis and a marker of cardiovascular disease progression in many studies which can be measured by ultrasound using high-resolution device. This is a case-control study. A total of 40 children [16 males and 24 females] with typel diabetes mellitus and control group consisting of equal numbers [17 males and 23 females] who were otherwise healthy were included in the study from May 2007 to January 2008. The two groups were age matched, with the mean age of 10.56 +/- 3.21 years in control group and 10.67 +/- 4.18 years in diabetic patients. Left and right cIMT were measured by ultrasound. There was a significant difference between case and control subjects in terms of mean cIMT [P<0.001]. cIMT was significantly higher in the diabetic group. Among variables including age, BMI and diabetes, diabetes was the only influential parameter in this respect The mean time length of type 1 diabetes in our diabetic group was reported 4.24 +/- 3.02 years, with a minimum of four months and a maximum of ten years. There was a statistically significant difference between the two diabetic patients with below and above four years of disease duration [P=0.03 for right carotid artery and P=0.01 for left carotid artery]. cIMT has been identified as an early indicator of atherosclerosis in many studies. It increases in patients with type 1 diabetes as the disease progresses and this can be followed by macro and microvascular atherosclerotic changes