A comparison of cerebral vasomotor reactivity in diabetic and nondiabetic Iranian patients

BACKGROUND Cerebral microangiopathy is one of the most important complications in diabetes. It may interfere with cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) which may lead to disability, stroke or even death. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare VMR changes in diabetic and non- diabetic patients. METHODS Fifty three diabetic and 51 non- diabetic patients (with no other vascular abnormality) were recruited. Vasomotor reactivity was evaluated with Trans- Cranial Doppler (TCD) before and after CO2 inhalation. RESULTS There were 69 (66.30%) males. The mean age was 41.53 ± 17.80 years. The general average of VMR was 5.79 ± 3.00%, the figures in diabetic and nondiabetic patients were 5.31 ± 2.60% and 6.62 ± 2.00%, respectively (p = 0.02). The average of flow velocity (FV) change was 42.47± 29.00 in diabetics and 53.34 ±16.70 in non- diabetic patients (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS It is recommended that such non- invasive method is necessary for evaluation of cerebral vasculature in diabetic patients for better prevention.