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.