Impaired flow-mediated dilation response and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with a mean disease duration of 4.1 years

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at assessing the endothelial function in patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) response and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 32 T1DM patients (mean disease duration 4.1 years) and 28 age-matched controls (CTL Group). Endothelial function and CIMT were assessed with high-resolution ultrasound using standardized offline measurements. RESULTS: FMD was significantly lower in patients in the T1DM Group (8.9 ± 3.2%) compared with those in the CTL Group (13.3 ± 4.3%; P-value < 0.0001). Similarly, CIMT differed significantly between T1DM patients (0.525 ± 0.03 mm) and controls (0.508 ± 0.03 mm; P-value = 0.041). Even though, the values are within the normal range for age. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T1DM have impaired endothelial function characterized by reduced FMD when compared to controls. However, vascular remodeling as seen by increases in CIMT was not found in this study.