The potential effect of some newer risk factors for atherosclerosis on aortic distensibility in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes.

The classical cardiovascular risk factors explain only a part of the increased macrovascular disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes (1). Reduction of the elastic properties of the aorta is an early marker of atherosclerosis, and it is diagnosed early in the course of type 2 diabetes (2). The detrimental effects of the classical risk factors on aortic distensibility are well known. However, the potential effect of some newer markers that have been proposed as risk factors for atherosclerosis, including increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy), high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, and uric acid levels, increased white blood cell (WBC) count, and low plasma adiponectin levels on aortic distensibility, has not been studied so far. The present cross-sectional study deals with the effect of the classical and newer cardiovascular risk factors on aortic distensibility in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes.