STIFFNESS INDEX-BETA OF THE COMMON CAROTID AND FEMORAL ARTERIES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INSULIN-RESISTANCE IN NIDDM

OBJECTIVE-To investigate the association between arterial wall stiffne ss indexes beta of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the femoral art ery (FA) and insulin resistance in NIDDM subjects in a cross-sectional study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-We evaluated the arterial stiffnes s indexes beta of CCA and FA using an ultrasonic phase-locked echo-tra cking system in 60 NIDDM subjects attending the diabetes center in Osa ka City University Hospital, compared with 120 age and sex-matched con trol subjects. Insulin sensitivity indexes were evaluated using a eugl ycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. RESULTS-Stiffness indexes beta of both CCA and FA were significantly higher in NIDDM subjects than in control subjects (CCA 18.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 11.7 +/- 0.3, respectively, P < 0.001; FA 35.7 +/- 2.3 vs. 23.7 +/- 0.8, respectively, P < 0.001). The mean insulin sensitivity index in NIDDM subjects was 4.69 +/- 0.29 mg . kg( -1) . min(-1) . mU(-1) . 1. The stiffness indexes beta of both CCA and FA were inversely correlated with insulin sensitivity indexes (CCAr = -0.393, P = 0.002; FA r = -0.329, P = 0.010), as well as with age, du ration of diabetes, and mean blood pressure. In stepwise multiple regr ession analyses, insulin sensitivity index and duration of diabetes we re identified as significant independent variables for stiffness index es beta in both CCA and FA (CCA R-2 = 0.249, P = 0.0003; FA R-2 = 0.33 6, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS-Arterial stiffness indexes beta of CCA and FA were associated with insulin resistance in NIDDM subjects.