Microvascular degenerative complications are associated with increased aortic stiffness in type 2 diabetic patients

ObjectiveDiabetes is a risk factor for increased arterial stiffness; however, few studies had investigated its associated factors. The aim was to evaluate the correlates of increased arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes, particularly the relationships with microvascular complications.Methods482 type 2 diabetic patients without peripheral arterial disease were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Clinical (including tests of cardiovascular dysautonomy), laboratory, ECG, echocardiographic and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data were obtained. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid–femoral (aortic) and carotid-radial (peripheral) pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements. Statistics included multivariate linear and logistic regressions to investigate the independent correlates of increased arterial stiffness.ResultsNo diabetes-related variable was associated with peripheral arterial stiffness. 148 patients (31%) had increased aortic PWV (>12 m/s). On multiple linear regression, retinopathy and nephropathy, besides age, heart rate, 24 h pulse pressure, diabetes duration, dyslipidemia and number of antihypertensive drugs in use, were independently associated with aortic PWV. On multivariate logistic regression increased aortic stiffness was associated with retinopathy (odds ratio: 3.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.24–6.56, p < 0.001) and peripheral neuropathy (odds ratio: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.06–3.02, p = 0.03) after adjusting for possible confounding variables. Other variables associated with increased aortic stiffness were older age, heart rate, diabetes duration, 24 h pulse pressure, dyslipidemia and physical inactivity.ConclusionsIn type 2 diabetic patients, increased central arterial stiffness is associated with the presence of microvascular complications independent of other established determinants of aortic stiffness.