Different Ultrasound Scoring Methods for Assessing Medial Arterial Calcification: Association with Diabetic Complications

Abstract

The aims of the study described here were to evaluate medial arterial calcification (MAC) of the lower limbs, identified on ultrasound, in patients with type 2 diabetes, and to analyze the association of MAC with diabetic complications including peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Ultrasound was performed in 359 patients, and the severity of MAC was assessed by the length of MAC (score range: 0-8) and the number of arterial segmentations with MAC (score range: 0-6). Our results revealed that MAC scoring based on the segmentation method was an independent predictor of peripheral arterial disease and nephropathy, but not an independent predictor of peripheral neuropathy or retinopathy. MAC scoring based on the length method was not an independent predictor of any complication. The segmentation method for assessing MAC on ultrasound may be a valuable tool in clinical work.

Keywords: Diabetic complications; Diagnostic imaging; Medial arterial calcification; Type 2 diabetes; Ultrasonography.