Investigation of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and the association with diastolic dysfunction

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate endothelial dysfunction (ED) and arterial stiffness (AS) and determine the association with diastolic dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: A total of 42 patients without diabetic complications (mean age: 13.21 years) and 40 healthy (mean age: 13.07 years) children were included in this study. AS was assessed with ascending aorta M-mode measurements, diastolic dysfunction with pulsed wave (PW) Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography measurements and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) with high-resolution ultrasonography. Results: Results of diabetic group and healthy children were compared. In diabetic group, aortic strain (8.40 2.98, 20.12 +/- 5.04; p < 0.001), aortic distensibility (7.36 +/- 2.92, 16.59 +/- 4.25; p < 0.001) and FMD% (7.70 +/- 2.83, 11.33 +/- 2.85; p < 0.001) were found decreased, and CIMT (0.52 +/- 0.09 mm, 0.47 +/- 0.08 mm; p < 0.05) was found increased. Additionally, left ventricular lateral segment and right ventricular free-wall isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and myocardial performance index (MPI) were found increased. Correlation analyses demonstrated a negative correlation between FMD and IVRT and MPI. Conclusions: ED and AS were found in type 1 DM patients without diabetic complications. Additionally, correlation was shown between increased AS and ED and right and left ventricular diastolic dysfunctions.