Change in waist circumference and the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients

SummaryObjectiveWe aimed to assess the effect of reducing body weight, waist circumference, and various metabolic parameters on the progression of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in Korean type 2 diabetes patients.MethodsThis study comprised of 173 patients. Anthropometric measurements, metabolic parameters, and carotid IMT were measured at baseline and 1 year later.ResultsThere were significant differences in waist circumference, HbA1c, and mean left and right IMT after 1 year. The change in waist circumference correlated with changes in HbA1c and changes in right and left IMT after adjusting for age, sex, and medications that could influence the IMT. In multiple regression analysis, the change in waist circumference was a significant predictor of the progression of maximum right and left IMT, with a marginal significance for the latter, and mean left IMT, independent of changes in body weight, BMI, HbA1c level, and the use of anti-hyperlipidemic, antiplatelet agents and thiazolidinediones.ConclusionControlling abdominal obesity seems to have a significant impact on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes, and therefore, more efforts should be made toward reducing waist circumference to inhibit overt atherosclerotic diseases.