Predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic young women with type 1 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and clinical predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic, young adult women with type 1 DM. Subjects and methods The study included 45 women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (aged 36 ± 9 years) who underwent carotid Doppler ultrasound evaluation to determine the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and to assess the occurrence of carotid artery plaques. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), and metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined by the World Health Organization criteria. Results The cohort had a mean age of 36 ± 9 years, diabetes duration of 18.1 ± 9.5 years, and body mass index (BMI) of 24.6 ± 2.4 kg/m2. MS was present in 44.4% of the participants. The CIMT was 0.25 ± 0.28 mm, and the prevalence of carotid artery plaques was 13%. CIMT correlated positively with hypertension (p = 0.04) and waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.37, p = 0.012). The presence of carotid artery plaques correlated positively with age (p = 0.018) and hypertension (p = 0.017). eGDR correlated negatively with CIMT (r = -0.39, p = 0.009) and carotid plaques (p = 0.04). Albuminuria showed a correlation trend with CIMT (p = 0.06). Patients with carotid artery plaques were older, had a higher prevalence of hypertension, and lower eGDR. No correlation was found between CIMT and carotid plaques with diabetes duration, MS, BMI, cholesterol profile, glycated hemoglobin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or fibrinogen. Conclusion Insulin resistance, central obesity, hypertension, and older age were predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic, young adult women with type 1 DM.

Body composition, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes mellitus / Composição corporal, síndrome metabólica e resistência insulínica no diabetes melito tipo 1

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the relationship between body fat composition, metabolic syndrome (MS), and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes (DM1). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five DM1 women (36 ± 9 years; body mass index 24.6 ± 4.4 kg/m²) had body composition and insulin resistance determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and estimated glucose disposal ratio (eGDR), respectively. Twenty patients (45 percent) had MS according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: Women with DM1 and MS had increased central fat and lower eGDR than women without MS (41.9 ± 2.0 vs. 33.7 ± 1.8 percent; p = 0.004 and 4.99 ± 0.40 vs. 8.37 ± 0.39; p < 0.0001, respectively). Total body fat and peripheric fat were similar between the groups. Central fat negatively correlated with eGDR (r = -0.33; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Central fat deposition in young non-obese DM1 women was related to MS and insulin resistance. Thus, body fat composition analysis might be important to identify DM1 patients with increased metabolic risk.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre composição corporal, síndrome metabólica (SM) e resistência insulínica (RI) no diabetes tipo 1 (DM1). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco mulheres com DM1 (36 ± 9 anos; índice de massa corporal 24,6 ± 4,4 kg/m²) foram submetidas à análise de composição corporal e RI por meio de densitometria por dupla emissão de raios-X e taxa de disponibilização de glicose estimada (eGDR), respectivamente. Vinte mulheres (45 por cento) apresentavam SM, conforme critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). RESULTADOS: Mulheres com SM apresentaram maior gordura central e menor eGDR do que as sem SM (41,9 ± 2,0 vs. 33,7±1,8 por cento; p = 0,004 e 4,99 ± 0,40 vs. 8,37 ± 0,39; p < 0,0001). A gordura corporal total e a gordura periférica não diferiram entre os grupos. A gordura central foi inversamente correlacionada com eGDR (r = -0,33; p = 0,03). CONCLUSÃO: Deposição de gordura central em mulheres jovens não obesas com DM1 esteve associada com SM e RI. Avaliação da composição corporal pode ser importante na identificação de pacientes com risco metabólico elevado.

Hipertensão pulmonar e insuficiência cardíaca direita secundária ao hipertireoidismo. Relato de caso / Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure associated with hyperthyroidism. Case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O hipertireoidismo é considerado uma causa rara de hipertensão arterial pulmonar isolada. Evidências recentes, entretanto, sugerem ser esta associação frequente, porém subdiagnosticada. O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar um caso de hipertensão arterial pulmonar (HP) isolada, com falência ventricular direita, secundária ao hipertireoidismo, reversível após o restabelecimento do estado eutireoideo. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 60 anos, previamente hígida, apresentando dispneia aos esforços, emagrecimento, palpitações, ascite e congestão periférica de início há um ano. As avaliações clínicas e os exames complementares evidenciaram HP (pressão arterial sistólica pulmonar = 60-65 mmHg), falência ventricular direita com hipertensão porta supra-hepática e fibrilação atrial. Foram afastadas inicialmente as principais causas secundárias de HP, incluindo cardiopatias esquerdas, pneumopatias, eventos tromboembólicos, colagenoses, drogas, toxinas e doenças infecciosas. Hipertireoidismo foi diagnosticado e iniciado tratamento com propiltiouracil. Após restabelecimento do eutireoidismo, houve importante melhora clínica, com redução gradual e significativa da pressão arterial pulmonar e resolução da congestão periférica. Após um ano de acompanhamento, foi realizado um novo ecocardiograma com a paciente em eutireoidismo que demonstrou recuperação da função cardíaca direita e pressão arterial pulmonar = 37 mmHg, tendo ocorrido reversão do quadro de HP. CONCLUSÃO: A descrição deste caso e a revisão da literatura visam salientar que a associação entre HP e hipertireoidismo é frequente e potencialmente reversível. Dessa forma, a avaliação da função tireoidiana deveria ser incluída rotineiramente na investigação inicial dos casos de hipertensão pulmonar.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hyperthyroidism is considered a rare cause of isolated pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, recent data suggests that it may be a frequent finding in thyrotoxicosis, normally under diagnosed. The aim of this study was to describe a case of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure secondary to hyperthyroidism, reversible after euthyroidism achievement. CASE REPORT: A 60 years-old female patient presented with exertion dyspnea, weight lost, palpitations, ascites and peripheral edema for one year. Clinical evaluation demonstrated atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary arterial pressure of 60-65 mmHg), with right heart failure and supra-hepatic portal hypertension. Initial work up for the common secondary causes of pulmonary hypertension was negative, including causes of left heart disease, pulmonary disorders, tromboembolic events, collagen vascular disease, drugs, toxins and infectious diseases. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed and propylthiouracil was initiated. After euthyroid state was achieved, there was a significant progressive reduction of pulmonary arterial pressure and clinical resolution peripheral edema. After one year of follow-up, an echocardiography was performed with the patient in euthyroidism and demonstrated resolution of right heart failure and pulmonary arterial pressure of 37 mmHg, with resolution of pulmonary hypertension. CONCLUSION: This case report and literature review gave further evidence that the association of pulmonary hypertension and hyperthyroidism is frequent and potentially reversible. Thus, thyroid function should be routinely evaluated in the initial investigation of all pulmonary hypertension cases.