Objective: To investigate the association of risk factors, especially diabetes mellitus, with high-grade carotid artery stenosis.
Method: The study group was chosen from the patients who were sent to our Doppler ultrasonography laboratory for detecting the vascular anatomy. Doppler sonography was performed in 258 patients.
Results: High-grade carotid artery stenosis(70% - 99% diameter reduction) was detected in 74 patients. In the moderate(40% -69%) and mild stenosis (0% - 39%) groups, we had 35 and 149 patients, respectively. Parameters of age, sex, alcohol, smoking, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes were considered potential risk factors for stenosis. Multivariate logistic regression model was used as the statistical test in comparing the 3 groups. In the high-grade stenosis group, sex distribution was 24.8% female and 75.2% male with a mean age of 54.42 ± 10.18 years. In the second and third groups these distributions were 53.4% female and 46.6% male with a mean age of 62.15 ± 8.61 years, and 47.30% female and 52.70% male with a mean age 62.56 ± 12.34, respectively. Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 2.68), ischemic heart disease (OR = 1.54), age (OR = 1.05), and male gender (OR = 1.72) were found to be significantly associated with high-grade carotid stenosis.
Conclusion: As a cost-effective, noninvasive, easily performed, and fast technique, Doppler sonography is used in vascular evaluation of patients. Early diagnosis of carotid artery disease in patients with modifiable risk factors like diabetes may play an important role in the prevention of a consequent stroke.