Abnormalities of the arterial pulse wave in young diabetic subjects.

Abnormalities have been noted in the arterial pulse wave of human subjects with peripheral arteriosclerosis and with hypertension. The major change, diminution to disappearance of the dicrotic wave, has also been found in young diabetic subjects. The present study reports on the differences in the configuration of the arterial pulse wave of 162 diabetic subjects between the ages of 11 and 29 years and a comparable group of 275 nondiabetic controls. The findings seem to support the concept that the vascular abnormalities seen in diabetes mellitus are an integral part and not a complication of the disease.