Effects of glucose control on arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension: An observational study

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the association of glucose control with changes in arterial stiffness, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress markers. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥ 9%) and hypertension were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups based on their post-treatment HbA1c level: HbA1c ≤ 7% (well-controlled group, n = 28) and HbA1c > 7% (uncontrolled group, n = 36). The pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The patients’ mean baseline HbA1c level was 11.7%. There were no differences in any baseline parameters between the two groups except the duration of diabetes. The mean HbA1c level was significantly lower at 12 weeks in the well-controlled than uncontrolled group (6.1% vs. 9.0%, respectively), but there were no significant differences in the pulse wave velocity (0.33 ± 0.95 vs. 0.36 ± 1.44 m/s), aortic augmentation index (5.1 ± 8.3 vs. 0.7 ± 11.6), or markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term glycemic control did not influence the arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.