Non–Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Fasting Glucose and Insulin Concentrations Are Associated With Arterial Stiffness Indexes

Abstract

Our findings are compatible with the view that persons with NIDDM or borderline glucose intolerance have stiffer arteries than their counterparts with normal glucose tolerance and that the decreased elasticity is independent of artery wall thickness. The joint effect of elevated glucose, insulin, and triglycerides can have a considerable impact on arterial stiffness and play an important role in the early pathophysiology of macrovascular disease in NIDDM.