FACTORS RELATED TO AORTIC PULSE-WAVE VELOCITY IN PATIENTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

The factors that influence the severity of large vessel pathology in p atients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were inve stigated in 154 randomly selected patients. Measurements of aortic pul se-wave velocity were used to quantify the severity of large vessel pa thology. The results showed that of the 20 variables considered, age, systolic blood pressure, duration of disease and serum creatinine were all significantly correlated with pulse-wave velocity. Multiple regre ssion analysis with pulse-wave velocity as the criterion variable show ed that age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were all significa nt explanatory variables, with age carrying the greatest weight. The f indings suggest that controlling blood pressure is most important as a means of containing large vessel pathology in patients with NIDDM.