Early Markers of Atherosclerosis in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: To detect early atherosclerosis changes using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6), and endothelial markers (sICAM and sVCAM).

Methods: The authors recruited 4 to 18-y-old children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and age- and sex-matched normal children, excluding those with familial hypercholesterolemia, syndromic disorders, and cardiovascular disease. CIMT and FMD were measured in both the groups. Biomarkers hs-CRP, IL-6, sICAM, and sVCAM, were analyzed in the T1DM group.

Results: Forty T1DM children and 40 controls with 27 (67.5%) girls were enrolled in each group. The mean age was 9.68 y. The T1DM group had 4 (10%) obese and 4 (10%) overweight children. Among cases, 9 (22.5%) had diabetes for > 5 y, 24 (60%) required daily insulin between 0.8 and 1.2 IU/kg/d and 26 (65%) had HbA1c > 10 g/dL. The CIMT values were significantly higher in cases (0.69 mm) than in controls (0.59 mm); 29 (72.5%) cases had abnormal combined CIMT values. FMD was lesser in cases than in controls but not significant. The median values of hs-CRP, IL-6, sICAM, sVCAM were 0.81 mg/L, 6.27 pg/mL, 46.33 ng/mL and 668.81 ng/mL, respectively. A significant correlation of IL-6 with CIMT (r = 0.543, p =  < 0.001) and sICAM with FMD (r =  -0.397, p = 0.011) was observed. VCAM was low in the obese and overweight children.

Conclusion: Children with type 1 diabetes had higher CIMT than normal children, whereas FMD did not differ. The association between elevated inflammatory markers with high CIMT and low FMD indicates that inflammation plays an essential role in endothelial dysfunction.