Relationship between carotid plaque formation and bloodglucose level in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus

  Objective  To investigate relationship between carotid plaque formation and blood glucose level in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.

  Methods  A total of 84 elderly patients with diabetes mellitus were collected and conducted with color Doppler ultrasound. According to the status of carotid plaque, the patients were divided into plaque group and non-plaque group. According to the plaque grade, the plaque group was divided into grade Ⅰ group, grade Ⅱ group and grade Ⅲ group. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose were measured. The effect of blood glucose level on carotid plaque formation was analyzed.

  Results  HbA1c, FPG and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose in the plaque group were significantly higher than those in the non-plaque group (P < 0.05). HbA1c, FPG and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose in grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ plaque groups were significantly higher than those in grade Ⅰ plaque group (P < 0.05). With the increase of plaque severity, the blood glucose level gradually increased.

  Conclusion  There is a correlation between the level of blood glucose and the occurrence and development of carotid plaque in elderly diabetic patients. Good blood glucose control is helpful to delay the progress of atherosclerosis.