Eva Aguilera

Polymorphisms in platelet glycoproteins Ia and IIIa are associated with arterial thrombosis and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes

To determine the genotype distributions of the polymorphisms in platelet glycoproteins (GP) Ib-alpha, Ia/IIa and IIb/IIIa and their association with clinical arterial thrombosis and preclinical carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes we studied 229 patients with type 2 diabetes and 229 controls matched by age, gender and ethnicity. Biochemical and haemostasis analyses were performed. The GP Ib-alpha VNTR, GP Ia 807 C/T and GP IIIa Pl(A) polymorphisms were determined by PCR. Thrombotic events were registered and carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by ultrasound examination. A total of 107 patients had clinical atherothrombosis (CA), 65 subclinical atherosclerosis (SA), and 57 had no evidence of atherosclerosis (NA). There were no differences in allele frequencies and the genotype distribution of platelet GP polymorphisms between diabetic patients and controls. The VNTR Ib-alpha polymorphism was not associated with CA. We found a significant association between CA and the 807T (odds ratio [OR]: 2.86, confidence interval [CI]: 1.65-4.93; p<0.001) and PlA2 (OR: 2.03, CI: 1.13-3.65; p=0.03) alleles (in GP Ia and GP IIIa, respectively) in comparison to SA and NA group. Diabetic patients with the coexistence of the 807T and PlA2 alleles presented the highest risk of CA (OR: 3.59, CI: 1.64-7.8; p<0.001). The coexistence of both 807T and PlA2 alleles was also associated with the presence of SA (OR: 9.00, CI: 1.10-73.42; p=0.04). In conclusion, the 807T allele of GP Ia and the PlA2 allele of GP IIIa, and specially its combination, may confer an additional risk for development of carotid atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis in type 2 diabetes.

Low Prevalence of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Patients With Type 1 Diabetes in a European Mediterranean Population

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the presence of early carotid and coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes with no history of ischemic heart disease. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS One hundred and fifty patients with type 1 diabetes (58% males; 38.6 ± 8.1 years, 20.4 ± 8.1 years of evolution; HbA1c 8.1 ± 2.3%; 52% nonsmokers; 26% retinopathy; 9% microalbuminuria) and 50 nondiabetic control subjects age and sex matched were studied. Carotid ultrasonography to determine common carotid artery intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and the presence of atheroma plaques and cardiac computed tomography for calcium analysis and quantification (coronary artery calcium score [CACS]) were performed. RESULTS Most patients with type 1 diabetes and control subjects displayed a CACS of 0 (82 vs. 92%). Patients with type 1 diabetes with CACS ≥1 were older and had higher HbA1c (44.5 ± 5.1 vs. 36.7 ± 8.1 years [P < 0.001] and 8.5 ± 1.1 vs. 7.8 ± 1.0% [P < 0.003], respectively) and longer evolution of diabetes (25.4 ± 9.2 vs. 19.3 ± 7.4 years, P < 0.005) and mean c-IMT (0.67 ± 0.18 vs. 0.53 ± 0.11 mm, P < 0.001) compared with patients with CACS of 0. Smoking (P < 0.02), nephropathy (P < 0.05), retinopathy (P < 0.05), and male sex (P < 0.03) were significantly and positively associated with CACS ≥1. Mean c-IMT was significantly higher in patients with type 1 diabetes (0.55 ± 0.14 vs. 0.48 ± 0.14 mm, P < 0.01), and 11% of them presented atheroma plaques (8% of control subjects). Multivariant logistic regression analysis showed that c-IMT was related to CACS (β = 6.87, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A small percentage of patients with type 1 diabetes showed data suggestive of subclinical atherosclerosis. Universal screening of coronary disease in this population is not justified. Carotid ultrasonography may be useful for screening in the subset of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and long disease evolution.

Improved adherence to Mediterranean Diet in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

PurposeWe aimed to assess food intake and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in patients with T1D compared with nondiabetic individuals.MethodsThis was an observational, multicenter study in 262 T1D subjects and 254 age- and sex-matched nondiabetic subjects. A validated food-frequency questionnaire was administered. The alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED) and alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI) were assessed. The clinical variables were also collected. The analysis of data included comparisons between groups and multivariate models.ResultsCompared to the controls, the patients with T1D had a higher intake of dairy products (p < 0.001), processed meat (p = 0.001), fatty fish (p = 0.009), fruits and vegetables (p < 0.001), nuts (p = 0.011), legumes (p < 0.001), potatoes (p = 0.045), and bread (p = 0.045), and a lower intake of seafood (p = 0.011), sweets (p < 0.001), and alcohol drinks (p = 0.025). This intake pattern resulted in a higher consumption of complex carbohydrates (p = 0.049), fiber (p < 0.001), protein (p < 0.001), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (p = 0.007), antioxidants (p < 0.001), vitamins (p < 0.001), and minerals (p < 0.001). The frequency of patients with T1D and low aMED score (23.2%) was lower than that of the controls (35.4%; p = 0.019). The overall multivariate analysis showed that, among other factors, being a T1D subject was associated with improved aMED and aHEI scores (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001). In patients with T1D, residing in a nonurban area was associated with improved aMED and aHEI scores (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001).ConclusionsAdult patients with T1D showed healthier dietary habits and a higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet than nondiabetic subjects. Residing in a nonurban area is associated with an improved dietary pattern.

Utilidad de la pulsioximetría en el cribado de la aterosclerosis carotídea en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Pulse oximetry of the toes has been suggested in the screening of peripheral arterial disease. We studied the uselfuness of pulse oximetry in detection of type 2 diabetic patients with carotid atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS 105 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) without previous clinical peripheral arterial disease were enrolled. All patients had (1) ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement, (2) pulse oximetry to measure SaO(2) of their index fingers and big toes in the supine position and at elevated 30cm and (3) a carotid ultrasound [carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques (CP) measurements]. The ABI was considered abnormal when it was <0.9 and when the pulse oximetry showed a decrease in SaO(2) of >2% of the finger compared to foot or to 30cm foot elevation. RESULTS 60 patients were men (age of 62+/-7 years, HbA(1c) of 6.9+/-1.0); 58.1% had CP. There were no differences in anthropometric and biochemical results between patients with or without CP. The ABI was <0.9 in 49% and 25% of patients with and without CP, respectively. Neither were there differences in pulse oximetry in patients with CP or in those with ABI <0.9. The IMT did not change in relation to pulse oximetry, but it was higher in patients with CP and with ABI <0.9 than in patients without alterations. These results were independent of the presence of previous clinical macroangiopathy. CONCLUSION Pulse oximetry is not a useful screening method of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 DM.