Background: Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) characterized by the thickening of the endothelium of the carotid arteries, is a reflection of generalized atherosclerosis and a surrogate for cardiovascular events. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for CA in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) out-patients at NAUTH in Nnewi, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated 142 T2DM out-patients. Relevant data was extracted with a researcher-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, glycated haemoglobin and fasting lipid profile were done. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured using ultrasongraphy. Ultrasonography of the brachial and pedal arteries was done using ultrasonic pocket doppler device and ankle brachial pressure index calculated. Lastly, the vibration perception threshold was determined using a digital biothesiometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results of categorical variables were presented in tables as frequencies and percentages. The mean values and standard deviation for the continuous variables were calculated. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between CA and categorical variables. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the 142 subjects was 59.15 ± 11.37 years and the gender distributions comprised 57.7% female and 42.3% male subjects, respectively. The prevalence of CA among the subjects was 49.3% and CA showed significant associations with educational level (X2 = 10.460; p = 0.015), exercise status (X2 = 5.060; p = 0.024), abdominal obesity in male (X2 = 4.659; p = 0.031) and the female subjects, respectively (X2 = 8.874; p = 0.003), and also with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (X2 = 8.158; p = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of CA was high and depicted a huge burden of cardiovascular morbidities in T2DM subjects. Equally, CA showed significant associations with educational level, exercise, diabetic peripheral neuropathy and abdominal obesity in subjects.
Published in | Clinical Medicine Research (Volume 14, Issue 4) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11 |
Page(s) | 98-108 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Associations, Carotid Atherosclerosis, Carotid Media-intima Thickness, South-East, Type 2 Diabetes
Variable | Frequency | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Age (years) | ||
18-44 | 14 | 9.9 |
45-64 | 78 | 54.9 |
≥65 | 50 | 35.2 |
Mean = 59.15 ± 11.37 | ||
Sex | ||
Male | 60 | 42.3 |
Female | 82 | 57.7 |
Variable | Frequency | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|
Carotid atherosclerotic (CA) | ||
Present | 70 | 49.3 |
Absent | 72 | 50.7 |
Factor | CA | X2 | p-value | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Present | Absent | |||
Age (years) | ||||
18-44 | 6 (42.9) | 8 (57.1) | 3.540 | 0.170 |
45-64 | 34 (43.6) | 44 (56.4) | ||
≥65 | 30 (60.0) | 20 (40.0) | ||
Sex | ||||
Male | 34 (56.7) | 26 (43.3) | 2.258 | 0.133 |
Female | 36 (43.9) | 46 (56.1) | ||
Marital status | ||||
Single | 0 | 0 | 2.002 | 0.157 |
Married | 68 (50.7) | 66 (49.3) | ||
Divorced | 0 | 0 | ||
Widowed | 2 (25.0) | 6 (75.0) | ||
Educational level | ||||
No formal | 2 (100) | 0 | 10.460 | 0.015 |
Primary | 20 (35.7) | 36 (64.3) | ||
Secondary | 18 (69.2) | 8 (30.8) | ||
Tertiary | 30 (51.7) | 28 (48.3) | ||
Duration of Diabetes mellitus | ||||
Short | 20 (45.5) | 24 (54.5) | 0.376 | 0.540 |
Long | 50 (51.0) | 48 (49.0) | ||
Exercise | ||||
Yes | 18 (69.2) | 8 (30.8) | 5.060 | 0.024 |
No | 52 (44.8) | 64 (55.2) |
Factor | CA | X2 | p-value | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Present | Absent | |||
Abdominal obesity (males) | ||||
Present | 20 (71.4) | 8 (28.6) | 4.659 | 0.031 |
Absent | 14 (43.8) | 18 (56.3) | ||
Abdominal obesity (females) | ||||
Present | 26 (37.1) | 44 (62.9) | 8.874 | 0.003 |
Absent | 10 (83.3) | 2 (16.7) | ||
Global obesity | ||||
Present | 16 (40.0) | 24 (60.0) | 1.925 | 0.165 |
Absent | 54 (52.9) | 48 (47.1) | ||
Glycaemic control | ||||
Good | 16 (40.0) | 24 (60.0) | 1.925 | 0.165 |
Poor | 54 (52.9) | 48 (47.1) | ||
Systolic hypertension | ||||
Present | 24 (50.0) | 24 (50.0) | 0.014 | 0.905 |
Absent | 48 (51.1) | 46 (48.9) | ||
Diastolic hypertension | ||||
Present | 20 (47.5) | 22 (52.4) | 0.067 | 0.796 |
Absent | 50 (50.0) | 50 (50.0) | ||
Treatment for Diabetes | ||||
Diet alone | 0 | 0 | 1.955 | 0.376 |
OADs | 50 (53.2) | 44 (46.8) | ||
Insulin | 4 (50.0) | 4 (50.0) | ||
Both | 16 (40.0) | 24 (60.0) | ||
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease | ||||
Present | 36 (47.4) | 40 (52.6) | 0.243 | 0.622 |
Absent | 34 (51.5) | 32 (48.5) | ||
Dyslipidaemia | ||||
Present | 64 (50.8) | 62 (49.2) | 1.004 | 0.316 |
Absent | 6 (37.5) | 10 (62.5) | ||
Antihypertensive use | ||||
Yes | 42 (52.5) | 38 (47.5) | 0.753 | 0.386 |
No | 28 (45.2) | 34 (54.8) | ||
Lipid-lowering drugs use | ||||
Yes | 46 (48.9) | 48 (51.1) | 0.014 | 0.905 |
No | 24 (50.0) | 24 (50.0) | ||
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) | ||||
Present | 44 (61.1) | 28 (38.9) | 8.158 | 0.004 |
Absent | 26 (37.1) | 44 (62.9) | ||
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) | ||||
Present | 14 (53.8) | 12 (46.2) | 0.264 | 0.608 |
Absent | 56 (48.3) | 60 (51.7) |
CA | Carotid Atherosclerosis |
T2DM | Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus |
DPN | Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy |
CAAD | Carotid Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease |
DM | Diabetes Mellitus |
CIMT | Carotid Artery Intima Media Thickness |
CDUS | Carotid Duplex Ultrasonography |
IMT | Intima-Media Thickness |
HbA1c | Glycated Haemoglobin |
FPG | Fasting Plasma Glucose |
SBP | Systolic Blood Pressure |
TC | Total Cholesterol |
LDL-C | Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol |
HDL-C | High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol |
CVRFs | Cardiovascular Risk Factors |
NAFLD | Non-Alcoholic Fatty Disease |
DPN | Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy |
PAD | Peripheral Artery Disease |
NAUTH | Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital |
GDM | Gestational Diabetes Mellitus |
ABPI | Ankle Brachial Pressure Index |
VPT | Vibration Perception Threshold |
EDTA | Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid |
CCA | Common Carotid Artery |
ICA | Internal Carotid Artery |
PAD | Peripheral Artery Disease |
WHO | World Health Organization |
TG | Triglycerides |
TC | Total Cholesterol |
BMI | Body Mass Index |
WHR | Waist to Hip Ratio |
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APA Style
Ezeude, C. M., Ezeude, A. M., Abonyi, M. C., Ikeabbah, H. E., Nwadimkpa, H. C. (2025). Associations of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetic Out-Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study. Clinical Medicine Research, 14(4), 98-108. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11
ACS Style
Ezeude, C. M.; Ezeude, A. M.; Abonyi, M. C.; Ikeabbah, H. E.; Nwadimkpa, H. C. Associations of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetic Out-Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study. Clin. Med. Res. 2025, 14(4), 98-108. doi: 10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11
AMA Style
Ezeude CM, Ezeude AM, Abonyi MC, Ikeabbah HE, Nwadimkpa HC. Associations of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetic Out-Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study. Clin Med Res. 2025;14(4):98-108. doi: 10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11
@article{10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11, author = {Chidiebele Malachy Ezeude and Afoma Marypaula Ezeude and Michael Chinweuba Abonyi and Henry Emeka Ikeabbah and Harriet Chinwe Nwadimkpa}, title = {Associations of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetic Out-Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study }, journal = {Clinical Medicine Research}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {98-108}, doi = {10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cmr.20251404.11}, abstract = {Background: Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) characterized by the thickening of the endothelium of the carotid arteries, is a reflection of generalized atherosclerosis and a surrogate for cardiovascular events. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for CA in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) out-patients at NAUTH in Nnewi, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated 142 T2DM out-patients. Relevant data was extracted with a researcher-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, glycated haemoglobin and fasting lipid profile were done. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured using ultrasongraphy. Ultrasonography of the brachial and pedal arteries was done using ultrasonic pocket doppler device and ankle brachial pressure index calculated. Lastly, the vibration perception threshold was determined using a digital biothesiometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results of categorical variables were presented in tables as frequencies and percentages. The mean values and standard deviation for the continuous variables were calculated. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between CA and categorical variables. The level of significance was set at p Results: The mean age of the 142 subjects was 59.15 ± 11.37 years and the gender distributions comprised 57.7% female and 42.3% male subjects, respectively. The prevalence of CA among the subjects was 49.3% and CA showed significant associations with educational level (X2 = 10.460; p = 0.015), exercise status (X2 = 5.060; p = 0.024), abdominal obesity in male (X2 = 4.659; p = 0.031) and the female subjects, respectively (X2 = 8.874; p = 0.003), and also with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (X2 = 8.158; p = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of CA was high and depicted a huge burden of cardiovascular morbidities in T2DM subjects. Equally, CA showed significant associations with educational level, exercise, diabetic peripheral neuropathy and abdominal obesity in subjects. }, year = {2025} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Associations of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetic Out-Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study AU - Chidiebele Malachy Ezeude AU - Afoma Marypaula Ezeude AU - Michael Chinweuba Abonyi AU - Henry Emeka Ikeabbah AU - Harriet Chinwe Nwadimkpa Y1 - 2025/07/09 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11 DO - 10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11 T2 - Clinical Medicine Research JF - Clinical Medicine Research JO - Clinical Medicine Research SP - 98 EP - 108 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2326-9057 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cmr.20251404.11 AB - Background: Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) characterized by the thickening of the endothelium of the carotid arteries, is a reflection of generalized atherosclerosis and a surrogate for cardiovascular events. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for CA in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) out-patients at NAUTH in Nnewi, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated 142 T2DM out-patients. Relevant data was extracted with a researcher-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, glycated haemoglobin and fasting lipid profile were done. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured using ultrasongraphy. Ultrasonography of the brachial and pedal arteries was done using ultrasonic pocket doppler device and ankle brachial pressure index calculated. Lastly, the vibration perception threshold was determined using a digital biothesiometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results of categorical variables were presented in tables as frequencies and percentages. The mean values and standard deviation for the continuous variables were calculated. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between CA and categorical variables. The level of significance was set at p Results: The mean age of the 142 subjects was 59.15 ± 11.37 years and the gender distributions comprised 57.7% female and 42.3% male subjects, respectively. The prevalence of CA among the subjects was 49.3% and CA showed significant associations with educational level (X2 = 10.460; p = 0.015), exercise status (X2 = 5.060; p = 0.024), abdominal obesity in male (X2 = 4.659; p = 0.031) and the female subjects, respectively (X2 = 8.874; p = 0.003), and also with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (X2 = 8.158; p = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of CA was high and depicted a huge burden of cardiovascular morbidities in T2DM subjects. Equally, CA showed significant associations with educational level, exercise, diabetic peripheral neuropathy and abdominal obesity in subjects. VL - 14 IS - 4 ER -