We conducted a cross sectional study in 314 T1DM patients (50% with Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy (STDR). B-mode carotid ultrasound, CT coronary angiogram was done after excluding history of CV disease and CKD. Table summarizes demographic, biochemical and imaging parameters. The plaque burden, Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) and Coronary Calcium (CAC) scores were significantly higher (p<0.0001) in STDR group than No Diabetic Retinopathy (NDR) group. Prevalence of plaque burden was higher in STDR (68.7%) vs. NDR (4.45%). There was no significant correlation between age and CIMT (r= 0.0147). In STDR group, BMI and CIMT showed linear correlation (r=0.0318), there was a strong correlation between carotid plaques and triglycerides (TGs). High CAC scores correlated with higher cholesterol levels. CAC and CIMT had linear correlation with TGs but no correlation with LDL-C. Patients with high CAC scores had high CIMT and vice versa. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed stronger correlation of carotid plaques with CIMT (p=0.0004) and TGs (p= 0.0295, r= 0.0157) than CAC (p= 0.0605 NS). STDR is an independent predictor of carotid plaques and is a marker of high atherosclerotic burden in T1DM. This association describes that T1DM patients with STDR are at higher CV risk and need aggressive, comprehensive follow up to prevent CV disease.
K. Shah: None. N. Sundaram: None. L.S. Purohit: None. P.P. Toth: Consultant; Self; Amarin Corporation, Amgen, Kowa Research Institute, Inc., Theravance Biopharma. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Amarin Corporation, Amgen, Novo Nordisk Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi. A.R. Kothari: None. S. Gupta: None.
