Arterial Stiffness and Complication Risk in Type 2 Diabetes

Background:

The prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing globally. A common complication of diabetes is the disease of the blood vessels, vascular diseases, which can cause disorders like myocardial infarction, stroke and kidney failure. Methods to detect early subclinical stages of macro-vascular disease are not yet available in a clinical setting.

Hypothesis:

Arterial stiffness, an easy accessible vascular parameter, may provide additional prognostic information when evaluating risk profile for patients with diabetes type 2.

Aim:

The aim of the project is to investigate the association between arterial stiffness and the occurrence and development of vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. Specifically we want to investigate:

in a cross-sectional study, the association between arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries assessed by computed tomography (CT) and
in a longitudinal study, the predictive value of arterial stiffness on the development of subclinical cerebrovascular changes assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nephropathy assessed by urine analysis.

Methods:

The study population consists of 100 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 100 age- and sex matched controls. The study participants were enrolled between 2008-2011 and extensively characterized i.a. with arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), MRI (white matter lesions and cerebral infarctions) and urine analysis (albuminuria). In this study we will enrol the same patients in a 5 year follow-up study in order to repeat above mentioned measurements. Furthermore, CT is used to investigate the coronary plaque burden of the participants (Agatston Score and Segment Involvement Score).

Results and Perspective:

This project adds new insight into arterial stiffness as a predictor of the progression of micro- and macrovascular complications in patients withtype 2 diabetes, and can potentially improve risk stratification and early strategies of intervention in this patient group.

Study Type: Observational

Observational Model: Case Control

Time Perspective: Prospective

Official Title: Arterial Stiffness and Complication Risk in Type 2 Diabetes

Estimated Enrollment: 200

Study Start Date: May 2014

Estimated Study Completion Date: June 2016

Estimated Primary Completion Date: March 2016 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)