Assessing the Correlation Between Carotid Intima Media Thickness Measurement and The Risk of Cardio-Vascular Events in Patients with Diabetes and Hypertension

Abstract

Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) is an established marker for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Patients with diabetes and hypertension are at higher risk for cardiovascular events. Assessing CIMT can provide valuable insights into the early detection of vascular changes that precede major cardiovascular events. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and hypertension. A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted at Kishwar Sultana Hospital, Lahore, over a six-month period. A total of 85 patients were assessed for CIMT using ultrasound. Their clinical data, including blood pressure, random blood sugar levels, smoking status, family history, and previous cardiovascular events, were analyzed. Nonparametric statistical tests and Spearman correlation were applied to determine associations. Patients with a history of cardiovascular events exhibited significantly higher CIMT on both the right and left carotid arteries (p < 0.001), indicating a strong relationship between increased CIMT and subclinical atherosclerosis. While diabetic individuals showed higher CIMT ranks than non-diabetics, the differences were not statistically significant. No significant variation in CIMT was found across blood pressure categories. A weak positive correlation was observed between CIMT and random blood sugar levels, while no significant association was found with systolic or diastolic blood pressure. CIMT is strongly associated with prior cardiovascular events and may serve as a valuable non-invasive marker for identifying patients at higher cardiovascular risk, even in the absence of significant differences across glycemic or hypertensive categories.