Prevalence and factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis in a Malagasy population with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross‐sectional retrospective study

AIM: Our study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis in Malagasy Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This was a cross‐sectional retrospective study, carried out over a period of 30 months. The diagnosis of carotid atherosclerosis is established by the presence of a carotid plaque increased carotid intima‐media thickness ≥1.1 mm on Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: We included 132 T2DM. The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was 63.6% (38.6% carotid plaque and 25% intima‐media thickening). After univariate analysis, the factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis were age ≥70 years (3.28 [1.18–10, 62]), previous intake of oral antidiabetics (0.33 [0.14–0.73]), insulin (0.28 [0.11–0.66]) and angiotensin receptor blocker (0.45 [0.20–0.98]), and current smoking (5.93 [1.64–32.6]). After adjustment for age and gender, previous intake of oral antidiabetics (0.29 [0.13–0.64]), insulin (0.27 [0.12–0.61]) and angiotensin receptor blocker (0.40 [0.19–0.86]), and current smoking (5.98 [1.61–22.1]) were associated with carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation, education on therapeutic compliance and comprehensive management of all cardiovascular risk factors and T2DM are therefore essential in order to reduce the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis.