Prehypertension is associated with atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension is a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between prehypertension and atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the impact of prehypertension on atherosclerosis in T2DM. METHODS: Patients (n=930) with T2DM were recruited for the present study from the outpatient clinic of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was determined using ultrasound and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was determined by volume plethysmography to assess atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Of the 930 patients with T2DM (mean age of 59 years), 167 were categorized as normotensive, 213 were prehypertensive, and 550 were hypertensive. Diabetic subjects with prehypertension had significantly higher CCA-IMT and baPWV than those with normal blood pressure after adjustment for age and gender. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared with normotension, prehypertension was a significant independent determinant of atherosclerosis (for maximum IMT ≥1.1 mm, odds ratio (OR) 2.10 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-3.44; for baPWV ≥1400 cm/s, OR 3.09 and 95% CI 1.78-5.36). CONCLUSION: Prehypertension is associated with atherosclerosis independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors in T2DM patients. We speculate that maintenance of systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <80 mmHg may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in T2DM.