Arterial modifications in elderly patient with type 2 Diabetes mellitus

Autors: Luminita Aurelia Pasca, Pantea Ioana Cristina, Pantea Maria-Andreea3, Valer
Donca

Discipline of Geriatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu" Cluj-

Napoca

Resident at Department of Geriatrics, Municipal Clinical Hospital , Cluj-Napoca

3
Medical Student at University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu" Cluj-Napoca

With age, increases both the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
disease risk. Diabetes mellitus is considered one of the most atherogenic diseases. In elderly
patients with diabetes, atheromatous lesions are morphological identical to those of non-
diabetic patients, but they develop earlier, evolve more quickly and severely. Particularly, in
diabetes mellitus is about the premature aging of the vascular bed. Endothelial dysfunction in
diabetes have a multifactorial determinism and multiple consequences, for this reason has
been considered the risk of the risk factors"

The purpose of the paper was to see if there are significant differences between the
arterial modifications in the elderly with diabetes and for those without diabetes, but also the
frequency of microvascular complications common among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Material and results: The study was made on a total of 140 patients hospitalized in
the geriatric ward in Cluj-Napoca MH - 70 with type 2 diabetes with an average age of 77.22
+/- 7.3 and 70 patients with an average age of 78.88 +/- 6.5 hospitalized for other
pathologies.

The Atherosclerotic macrovascular pathology (heart diseases, cerebrovascular and peripheral

arterial disease) was more frequently retrieved in elderly people with diabetes, especially
ischemic heart disease: 71% compared with non-diabetes group: 39%, Carotidian
atherosclerosis 47% for diabetic group and 25% for the non-diabetic group.

Microvascular complications (diabetic neuropathy / retinopathy or nephropathy) were

present in a significant percentage of 12% since the onset of type 2 diabetes, later in the
evolution, were diagnosed another 54% of patients. Microvascular complications occurred in
high percentage insolated, in double or even triple association; the most common found was
the diabetic neuropathy(60%).

Among the elderly with diabetes, the study shows that the intimal-medial thickness increases
with body mass index and also with waist circumference. During diabetes, the cardiovascular
disease and microangiopathy are correlated with the duration of disease and also the exposure
to chronic hyperglycemia.