Glycemic control and asymptomatic carotid plaque and carotid intima–media thickness
Authors' conclusion
Pre-diabetes and diabetes, especially poorly controlled diabetes, were associated with increased odds of asymptomatic carotid plaques. Implementing the most effective strategies to achieve optimal glycemic control is crucial for the prevention and management of atherosclerosis.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged over 40 years, free of stroke or MI, China National Stroke Screen Survey programme; carotid plaque and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) by duplex US
- Participants
- 4,752 adults
- Exposure
- Pre-diabetes and diabetes vs normoglycemia
- Outcome
- Presence of asymptomatic carotid plaques or abnormal CIMT
Methodological detailsmultivariate logistic regression
- Multivariate logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Asymptomatic carotid plaques
Each group vs normoglycemiaOdds ratio (95% CI)
Pre-diabetesmultivariate
1.22(1.03–1.45)
Diabetesmultivariate
1.66(1.41–1.92)
Poorly controlled diabetes
1.93(1.53–2.44)
- Subjects with carotid plaques
- 1977 (41.6%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerable plaquesDiabetesvs Normoglycemia | 1.79 (1.50–2.14) | |
| Vulnerable plaquesPre-diabetesvs NormoglycemiaNot associated | 1.17 (0.96–1.43) | |
| Vulnerable plaquesPoorly controlled diabetesvs Normoglycemia | 2.03 (1.55–2.67) | |
| 0.20.5125Odds ratio (log scale) |
Abnormal CIMT
- Subjects with abnormal CIMT
- 804 (16.9%)
- No significant association between diabetes and abnormal CIMT
Original publication
Glycemic control and asymptomatic carotid plaque and carotid intima–media thickness. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. Published 18 June 2025. doi:10.
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