Medicus, Vol. 9 No. 1_Kronične bolesti, 2000.
Review article
Diabetes Mellitus and Atherosclerosis
Željko Metelko
Zdravko Babić
Ivana Pavlić-Renar
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is characterised by
absolute or relative insulopenia which results in hyperglycemia
and, over longer period of time, chronic micro- and
macrovascular complications, complications on nerves, and
basal membranes of different tissues. The prevalence of diabetes
mellitus in Croatia is 2.37% (0.07% autoimmune insulin
dependent type 1, and 2.3% type 2 diabetes mellitus) which
data approximately equal to those from developed countries.
Atherosclerosis leads as a cause of death and disability in the
developed world. Thickening of arterial wall especially affects
certain regions of circulation (coronary arteries, arteries that
supply the central nervous system, renal arteries) causing
flow limitation or arterial occlusion, as well as aneurysmal
increasing of lumen caliber. Atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus
is more extensive and occurs earlier than in general population,
causing a great deal of excess mortality in the diabetic
population. Common risk factors of diabetes mellitus
and atherosclerosis are dyslipoproteinemia, obesity and
incorrect diet, physical inactivity, hypertension, cigarette
smoking, psychological profil, and hyperuricemia. Glycemic
control, serum lipid levels and blood pressure values lower
than in non-diabetic persons are of particular importance in
the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis.
Keywords
diabetes mellitus; atherosclerosis; risk factors; treatment
Hrčak ID:
19056
URI
Publication date:
26.1.2000.
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