Carotid intima-media thickness in Chinese Type 2 diabetic subjects with or without microalbuminuria

Background: To examine the association of microalbuminuria (MAU) with the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in Chinese Type 2 diabetic subjects. Materials and methods: Two hundred and thirty-nine patients (64±13 yr, 154 males) were divided into 2 groups: one with MAU (no.=119) or one without (no.=120). We recorded clinical and biochemical data as well as CIMT and ankle-brachial index (ABI). Results: The patients with MAU had had diabetes mellitus (DM) longer, had higher blood pressure (BP). They also had lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and higher levels of circulating glucose, glycated hemoglobin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein than those without. Lower mean ABI was found in those with MAU, however, they did not have higher mean CIMT (0.72±0.15 vs 0.71±0.16 mm, p=0.525). In patients without MAU, CIMT correlated with age, DM duration, systolic BP, eGFR, albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and ABI. However, in those with MAU, CIMT correlated only with age and eGFR. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that mean CIMT correlated only with age for patients without MAU, but correlated with age and body mass index for those with MAU. Dividing the patients into 5 age groups, we found that the older the patient, the higher the mean CIMT with no group differences between those with and without MAU in both genders. However, patients with eGFR below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 had higher mean CIMT than those above (0.75±0.16 vs 0.69±0.14 mm, p=0.005). Conclusions: Type 2 diabetic patients with MAU were not associated with higher CIMT. Conversely, those with deterioration of renal function were more likely associated.