Carotid intima-media thickness values are significantly higher in patients with prediabetes compared to normal glucose metabolism

Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) increases in patients with adult type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and is used for early detection of macrovascular complications. We aimed to investigate the change of C-IMT in prediabetes and type-2 DM patients compared to subjects with normal glucose metabolism (NGM). A total of 180 individuals (60 subjects with NGM, 60 patients with prediabetes and 60 patients with type-2 DM) were included in this study. Routine laboratory and micro-macrovascular involvement were investigated. Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was measured for urinary albuminuria detection. In addition to routine laboratory examination, right-left common and internal C-IMT (CC-IMT and IC-IMT) were measured. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were found to be higher in prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. The prevalence of nephropathy and presence of CAD were higher in type-2 DM groups than prediabetes. Glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and urinary ACR were significantly higher in patients within prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. Glucose, HbA1c and hs-CRP levels were found to be higher in type-2 DM groups than prediabetes. Estimated glomerular filtration rate and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level was found to be lower in patients within prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. Right-left-mean CC-IMT and IC-IMT values were found to be higher in prediabetes and type-2 DM groups than NGM group. Left IC-IMT, left CC-IMT, and mean IC-IMT values were found to be higher in type-2 DM patients compared to prediabetes. LDL and HDL cholesterols, HbA1c, and hs-CRP levels were independently associated with IC-IMT and CC-IMT. C-IMT values were significantly higher in impaired glucose metabolism compared to NGM. C-IMT measurement may be used as part of routine screening of macrovascular complication in patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed type-2 DM.