Increasing age associated with elevated cardio-ankle vascular index scores in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: The study investigated the relationship between arterial stiffness calculated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes-related cardiovascular complications, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes) and nondiabetic patients. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes and age-matched nondiabetic patients. CAVI was measured using an automatic vascular screening system. Parameters associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications were also measured. Results: A total of 51 patients with type 2 diabetes and 59 nondiabetic patients were enrolled in the study. Significantly higher CAVI scores were observed in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with nondiabetic patients (mean +/- SD: 9.55 +/- 1.13 versus 8.54 +/- 0.94, respectively). Multivariate linear regression analyses demonstrated that age was the only significant factor influencing the CAVI score, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: Patients with type 2 diabetes had an increased risk of arterial stiffness, based on the CAVI score, compared with nondiabetic patients; this, in turn, could increase their risk of developing other cardiovascular complications.