The correlation of common carotid arterial diameter with atherosclerosis and diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The clinical significance of the diameter of the common carotid artery (CCA) measured ultrasonographically in diabetic practice has not been sufficiently established. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of the ultrasonic CCA diameter with atherosclerotic measures and diabetic retinopathy as a microvascular complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 102 patients with T2DM (men: 65%, mean age: 57 years) who had no apparent carotid arterial stenosis and no history of cardiovascular or severe renal disease. The current smoking status, body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and ultrasonic measures of carotid arteries (CCA diameter, intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque score) were measured. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the presence of diabetic retinopathy were also assessed. The CCA diameter showed a significant positive correlation with the mean IMT or plaque score. The CAVI had a significant positive correlation with the mean IMT, plaque score, and CCA diameter, while diabetic retinopathy had a significant positive correlation with the CCA diameter, but not the mean IMT or plaque score. These results were unaltered after adjusting for multiple confounders. The CCA diameter may serve as a useful marker for atherosclerosis and diabetic retinopathy, and in particular, may be a marker associated with diabetic retinopathy more clearly than the carotid IMT and plaque score, in patients with T2DM.