<p>Att lägga om sin livsstil är inte lätt, men i många fall kan det vara nödvändigt för att bibehålla en god hälsa. Ett exempel på ett sådant tillfälle är vid en diabetesdiagnos, där förstahandsbehandlingen består i livsstilsförändring, som främst innefattar kost, motion och rökstopp. Resultat från tidigare forskning visar att det är viktigt att patienten är motiverad att genomföra en livsstilsförändring, och även diabetessköterskorna i den här studien är av den uppfattningen. Det är viktigt att patienten själv tar ansvaret för sin sjukdom, det är bara han eller hon som kan förändra sin livsstil. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur diabetessköterskorna hjälpte sina patienter att hitta motivation till livsstilsförändring. En kvalitativ intervjumetod användes för att samla material, fem diabetessköterskor intervjuades. Den efterföljande analysen är inspirerad av hermeneutisk metod. Resultatet av studien visar att patienten själv måste hitta sin motivation, det finns inget sätt för diabetessköterskan att konkret hjälpa sin patient att hitta den. Diabetessköterskans uppgift är att finnas där när patienten själv hittat sin motivation, och leda patienten rätt.</p> / <p>To change your way of living is not easy, but in many cases it might be necessary to sustain a good health. An example of this is when you get a diagnosis of diabetes and the first treatment is a change of lifestyle, especially concerning diet, exercise and no smoking. Former studies have shown that the patient has to be motivated to change their lifestyle and this is the opinion of diabetes nurses in this study as well. It is important that the patient takes the responsibility for the disease because it’s only himself who can change the lifestyle. The aim of this study was to look into how the diabetes nurses helped the patients to find motivation to a change of lifestyle. Five nurses were interviewed. A qualitative field survey has been used to gather the material and the following analysis is inspired of the hermeneutic method. Results of the study show that the patients have to find the motivation on their own and that the diabetes nurse doesn’t have a concrete way of helping him or her. The nurse’s task is to be there when the patient has found the motivation and lead them on to the right track.</p>

The misfolding and aggregation of the beta cell hormone islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) into amyloid fibrils is the main pathological finding in islets of Langerhans in type 2 diabetes. Pathological assemblies of IAPP are cytotoxic and believed to contribute to the loss of insulin-producing beta cells. Changes in the microenvironment that could trigger the aggregation of IAPP are largely unknown. So is the possibility that islet amyloid can spread within or between tissues. The present thesis have explored the roles of glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate (HS) and the novel anti-amyloid chaperone Bri2 BRICHOS domain in the assembly of IAPP amyloid and cytotoxic IAPP aggregates. Furthermore, cross-seeding as a molecular interaction between the observed connection of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer disease has been examined. The N-terminal region of IAPP was required for binding to HS structures and induction of binding promoted amyloid formation. Interference in the HS-IAPP interaction by heparanase degradation of HS or by introducing short, soluble HS-structure fragments reduced amyloid deposition in cultured islets. Cytotoxicity induced by extracellular, aggregating IAPP was mediated via interactions with cell-surface HS. This suggests that HS plays an important role in islet amyloid deposition and associated toxicity. BRICHOS domain containing protein Bri2 was highly expressed in human beta cells and colocalized with IAPP intracellularly and in islet amyloid deposits. The BRICHOS domain effectively attenuated both IAPP amyloid formation and IAPP-induced cytotoxicity. These results propose Bri2 BRICHOS as a novel chaperone preventing IAPP aggregation in beta cells. The intravenous injection of IAPP, proIAPP or amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrils enhanced islet amyloidosis in transgenic human IAPP mice, demonstrating that both homologous- and heterologous seeding of islet amyloid can occur in vivo. IAPP colocalized with Aβ in brain amyloid from AD patients, and AD patients diagnosed with T2D displayed increased proportions of neuritic plaques, the more pathogenic plaque subtype. In conclusion, both IAPP amyloid formation and the cytotoxic effects of IAPP is dependent on interactions with HS whereas interactions with Bri2 BRICHOS is protective. Cross-seeding between Aβ and IAPP can occur in vivo and the two peptides colocalize in brain amyloid in AD patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic and debilitating disease contributing to the rise in healthcare associated costs in the United States (ADA, 2013a; USDHHS, 2013). T2DM management is complex and requires an ongoing multi-system approach (Goderis et al., 2010). In this quality improvement project, the DNP student led a team in a family care practice setting through a systematic quality improvement process, the PDSA cycle, for the improvement of performance rates of quality indicators including A1C testing, LDL testing, and performance of comprehensive foot examinations. The QI team developed a multi-component intervention to include utilization of an electronic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) decision support tool. The expected outcome was to increase current performance rates of A1C testing, LDL testing, and comprehensive foot examinations at a family care practice by at least 10% within four weeks of implementing the intervention. A1C testing improved from a pre-intervention median of 70.97% to a post-intervention median of 91.38%, an increase of 20.41%. LDL testing improved from a pre-intervention median of 74.19% to a post-intervention median of 91.38%, an increase of 17.19%. Comprehensive foot examinations improved from a pre-intervention median of 58.06% to a post-intervention median of 84.48%, an increase of 26.42%. While results demonstrate a trend of improvement, the duration of the intervention was insufficient for statistical significance. The QI project served as a first systematic change process for the family care practice and a model for future change processes at the clinic. This project highlights the DNP's role in utilizing evidence-based research and applying a systematic change model for quality improvement in the primacy care practice setting.

Thesis (MNutr (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Human Nutrition))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / OBJECTIVES: To determine perceived Quality of Life (QOL) of the diabetic patient and to assess whether QOL is associated with diabetes-related markers. DESIGN: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. SETTING: A multiethnic group of type 1 and 2 diabetic patients (n= 68) attending a diabetic clinic in Alberton, South Africa, were evaluated. SUBJECTS OUTCOME MEASURES: QOL was assessed by means of the Audit of Diabetes-Dependant Quality of Life (ADDQoL) questionnaire. Glycaemic control, duration of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), type of DM, diabetic complications, level of education and nutritional status were evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety eight percent of diabetic patients perceived their DM to impact negatively on their QOL (p=0.03). QOL and glycaemic control were significantly (p=0.03) related. QOL and the duration (p=0.80) or type (p=0.77) of DM were not significantly related. QOL ratings were lower in participants who had hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, whereas this trend was not present in those with microvascular complications. There was a trend towards a negative relationship between QOL and weight (p=0.10), BMI (p=0.10) and WC (p=0.41). All 13 individual life domains were significantly related (p < 0.05) to QOL for the group as a whole. Rankings of individual life domains differed between type 1 and type 2 diabetics (p<0.05) as well as between black and white subjects (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that DM impacts on various aspects of QOL and that various population sub-groups perceive their DM to impact differently on their QOL. QOL assessments should therefore form part of DM management and should be culturally sensitive.

Despite the importance of muscle in the development of type 2 diabetes, few studies have investigated the effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on muscle energy metabolism. Previous results from our lab suggested that PCB126 exposure induced an indirect negative effect on muscle mitochondrial function. Since PCBs are stored in adipose tissue, we hypothesized that PCB126 alters adipokine secretion which in turn affects muscle metabolism. Objectives. Study the adipose-to-muscle communication in PCB126-induced metabolic defects. Methods. Communication between adipocytes and myotubes was reproduced by exposing C2C12 or mouse primary myotubes to the conditioned medium (CM) of 3T3L1 adipocytes exposed to environmentally relevant PCB126 levels. Results. PCB126 significantly increased adipokine secretion and decreased mitochondrial function, glucose uptake and glycolysis in insulin resistant (IR) but not in insulin sensitive 3T3L1. However, exposure of myotubes to CM of IR 3T3L1 only decreased glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, without altering myotubes glycolysis or mitochondrial function. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the increased adipokine secretion by adipocytes could explain the decreased muscle glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity when exposed to PCB126.

Introdução: O diabetes mellitus (DM) é uma condição prevalente, de alto custo e associada a várias complicações. Apesar dos potenciais benefícios do rastreamento para DM em indivíduos de alto risco, o rastreamento ainda é controverso. Em 2001, o Brasil realizou um programa Nacional de rastreamento para DM, convidando todos os indivíduos a partir dos 40 anos de idade a participar. Objetivos: Este estudo tem como objetivos descrever a implementação do programa de rastreamento; estimar sua efetividade e impacto populacional; estimar o custo por caso de DM diagnosticado; e avaliar o custoefetividade da estratégia de rastreamento. Métodos: Foi construído um modelo de decisão analítico. Os parâmetros para a fase de rastreamento foram estimados a partir de dados do Ministério da Saúde e estudo de seguimento de uma amostra de 90,106 participantes do rastreamento. As etapas de diagnóstico e vinculação de casos de DM aos serviços de saúde foram avaliadas em uma sub-amostra de 4,906 indivíduos com rastreamento positivo. Custos do programa e custos do DM foram estimados (em R$, US$ e Int$ para o ano de 2001). Para a análise de custo-efetividade, o modelo de decisão analítico foi incorporado a um modelo de Markov de progressão do DM.Foram estimados os custos e benefícios (em anos de vida salvos e anos de vida ajustados para qualidade - AVAQ) durante toda a vida para cada caso de DM. Fontes adicionais de dados incluíram dados de inquéritos nacionais, DATASUS, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) e literatura. O horizonte de análise foi da vida toda e assumiu a perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Não foram considerados custos de perda de produtividade. Taxa de desconto de 5% foi aplicada aos custos e benefícios futuros. Foi calculada a razão de custoefetividade adicional do rastreamento populacional, comparado à ausência de programa de rastreamento. Resultados: Dos 22.069.095 de testes de rastreamento realizados, 3.417.106 resultaram positivos. Foi estimado que aproximadamente 346 mil novos casos de DM foram diagnosticados e 320 mil novos casos foram incorporados ao SUS. Foi necessário rastrear 64 indivíduos para diagnosticar 1 caso de DM. O custo total federal do programa de rastreamento foi de R$39 milhões (US$16,5 milhões; Int$50 milhões). O custo porcada caso de DM diagnosticado foi de R$136 (US$58; Int$175). A razão de custo-efetividade do programa de rastreamento foi estimada em R$ 15.216 (US$ 6.475; Int$ 19.608) por ano de vida salvo ou R$ 14.164 (US$ 6.027; Int$ 18.252) por AVAQ. Conclusões: O programa de rastreamento realizado no Brasil foi uma iniciativa inédita, efetivo na mobilização de municípios e da população. Apesar dos altos custos, o custo por caso de DM diagnosticado foi inferior ao relatado por outros países. A razão de custo-efetividade foi semelhante à estimada por simulações do rastreamento seletivo em indivíduos de alto risco. Considerando evidências recentes de efetividade do tratamento precoce na redução de complicações e mortalidade por DM, análises de sensibilidade deverão ser realizadas considerando a variação destes parâmetros. Estes resultados são importantes para tomadores de decisão, em especial em países considerando estratégias de rastreamento para DM. / Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common and costly disorder associated with major complications. Despite the rationale for screening high-risk individuals, direct evidence on the effectiveness of diabetes population screening has not been demonstrated. In 2001 Brazilian citizens aged 40 or older were invited to participate in a nationwide population screening program for DM. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the initial impact of the program, estimate the cost per DM case diagnosed, and conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Brazilian nationwide screening program considering lifetime disease progression. Methods: A decision analytic model with a screening phase and a diagnostic phase was developed. Model parameters considered data from National screening program and from a follow-up study of 90,106 screenees. To describe the actions taken for positive screenees, a sub-sample of 4,906 positive screenees was actively followed up through home interviews. Program cost data (in R$, US$ and Int$ considering 2001 exchange rates) and disease costs were estimated. For the cost-effectiveness analysis, the decision analytic model was incorporated into a Markov model of DM disease progression. Lifetime costs and benefits for individuals newly diagnosed with DM were estimated. Additional sources of data included national registries, surveys, and data from the literature. The analysis considered the health care system perspective and lifetime horizon. Productivity losses were not considered. Discount rate of 5% was considered in the base-case analysis.The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated comparing screening program with no screening program. Results: Of a total of 22,069,905 tests performed, an estimated 3,417,106 were positive. Approximately 345,000 new DM cases were diagnosed, and 320,000 were incorporated into the healthcare system. The number of screening tests needed to detect one case of DM was 64. Total screening program costs were R$ 39 million (US$ 16.5 million or Int$ 50 million). The cost per new DM case diagnosed was R$ 136 (US$ 58 or Int$ 175). Results were sensitive to proportion of individuals returning for diagnostic confirmation. Compared with no screening, the incremental cost for population screening was estimated as R$ 15,261 (US$ 6,475; Int$ 19,608) per life-year saved, and R$ 14,164 (US$ 6,027; Int$ 18,252) per QALY. Conclusions: This pioneering nationwide population-based screening conducted through primary healthcare services was effective in mobilizing municipalities andpopulation. Despite significant overall costs, cost per new DM case diagnosed was lower than described by other countries. Cost-effectiveness ratios of the Brazilian Nationwide population screening program incorporating long-term disease management are similar to those estimated for selective screening of high risk population based on modeling studies. Considering recent evidence on effectiveness of DM treatment in reducing complications and mortality, sensitivity analysis should be conducted considering different parameter estimates. These data provides invaluable information for decision makers, especially to other countries planning screening programs for early diagnosis of DM.

Human muscle metabolism, the biochemical reactions which lead storage and usage of energy, is complex, but important in understanding human health and disease. Optimal muscle metabolism can help maintain a healthy organism by adequately storing and utilizing energy for subsequent use in contraction and recovery and adaption from contraction and exercise. Dysregulated muscle metabolism can lead to insulin resistance and obesity among other health problems. Flux balance analysis (FBA) and constraint-based modeling have successfully elucidated important aspects of metabolism in single-celled organisms. However, limited work has been done with multicellular organisms. The foci of this dissertation are (1) to show how novel applications of this technique can aid in the investigation of human nutrition and (2) to elucidate metabolic phenotypes associated with the insulin resistance (IR) characteristics of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). First, for human nutrition a novel steady-state constraint-based model of skeletal muscle tissue was constructed to investigate the effect of amino acid supplementation on protein synthesis. Several in silico supplementation strategies implemented showed that amino acid supplementation could increase muscle contractile protein synthesis, which is consistent with published data on protein synthesis in a post-resistance exercise state. These results suggest that increasing bioavailability of methionine, arginine, and the branched-chain amino acids can increase the flux of contractile protein synthesis. Thus, this dissertation introduces the prospect of using systems biology as a framework to investigate how supplementation and nutrition can affect human metabolism and physiology. Second, given the complexity of metabolism, the cause(s) of the altered muscle metabolism in IR remain(s) unknown. Attempting to elucidate this complexity, the constraint-based modeling framework was expanded upon to develop the first in silico analysis of muscle metabolism under varying nutrient conditions and during transitions from fasted to fed states. Systematic perturbations of the metabolic network identified reactions which mimic IR phenotypes: reduced ATP/creatine phosphate synthesis, reduced TCA cycle flux, and reduced metabolic flexibility. Reduced flux through a single reaction is not sufficient to recapitulate the IR phenotypes, but knockdowns in pyruvate dehydrogenase in combination with either reduced lipid uptake or lipid/amino acid oxidative metabolism do so. These combinations also decrease complete lipid oxidation and glycogen storage. Thus, the computational model also provides a novel tool to identify candidate enzymes contributing to dysregulated metabolism in IR.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant public health problem that afflicted approximately 29.1 million Americans in 2012 (CDC, 2014). The estimated cost of diabetes in the United States in 2012 was $245 billion, including $176 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion in reduced productivity (ADA, 2013a). To reach a diagnosis of DM, a clinician generally relies on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and/or the Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test (ADA, 2013b). Current noninsulin antidiabetic medications include sulfonylureas, GLP-1 analogues, DPP-4 inhibitors, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, and SGLT2 inhibitors (Kaiser & Oetjen, 2014). Insulin therapies include basal (long-acting insulin analogues), biphasic (premixed insulin analogues), prandial (short-acting insulin analogues), and basal bolus (a combination of long-acting and short-acting insulin analogues) (Esposito et al., 2012). The aim of this study is to review the existing literature on the cost effectiveness of diabetes interventions to develop a standardized protocol for early type 2 diabetes care that can be delivered through primary care providers. The substantial cost effectiveness of preventative measures, including ad campaigns and outreach programs, has already been established (Mendis & Chestnov, 2013). Screening for impaired glucose tolerance early and implementing lifestyle and pharmacological changes at an early stage are also considered cost effective approaches for the long-term management of diabetes mellitus (Gillies et al., 2008). This study utilizes six cost effectiveness analyses on both clinical and non-clinical interventions to determine a standardized protocol for screening, diagnosing, and treating DM. Noninsulin antidiabetic drugs accounted for 78.4% of the 154.4 million prescriptions for antidiabetic drugs filled in 2012 (Hampp et al., 2014). Approximately half of the noninsulin antidiabetic drugs filled in 2012 was for metformin, whereas roughly a quarter of the same category was for sulfonylureas (Hampp et al., 2014). In decreasing order, long-acting human analog insulin and fast-acting human analog insulin were the most popular insulin variants in the insulin antidiabetic drug market (Hampp et al., 2014). Of the noninsulin antidiabetic drugs, the highest proportion of diabetic patients who achieved the HbA1C target of <7% were those taking sustained release exenatide (a GLP-1 analog) (63.2%) (Esposito et al., 2012). Of the insulin varieties, the highest proportion of diabetic patients who achieved the HbA1C target of <7% were those using basal bolus insulin (50.2%) (Esposito et al., 2012). While there are some concerns about the ability of diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease to clear metformin via renal excretion, extensive clinical experience supports its use in diabetic patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (Inzucchi et al., 2014). From the cost effectiveness studies, lifestyle modification (i.e., changes in diet and exercise) beginning at any age was determined to be a cost-effective approach in preventing and treating DM and may be cost saving for adults between the age of 25 to 44 (Herman et al., 2005). Screening for DM beginning at age 45 and repeating every three years if negative provides the best balance of effectiveness and cost effectiveness (Kahn et al., 2010). As a first-line clinical intervention, metformin was established to be cost-effective as well in treating DM (but less so compared to lifestyle modification) (Herman et al., 2005). Bariatric surgery for diabetics with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2 has also been established as cost effective (Hoerger et al., 2010). Next, in considering the ideal frequency of clinical consultations, diabetics with a stable condition (assessed as HbA1c ≤7.5%, blood pressure ≤145 mmHg, and total cholesterol ≤201 mg/dL) can safely be seen by a primary care provider every six months compared to every three months with no noticeable decline in long-term health outcomes (Wermeling et al., 2014). For cases of T2D that cannot be simply controlled with metformin, sulfonylurea has shown that it is overall more cost-effective and effective as a second-line therapy when compared to DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 analogs (Zhang et al., 2014). Cost effectiveness analysis of the long-acting analogue insulin detemir across different countries reveals substantially different cost effectiveness for the medication in terms of both nominal and purchasing power terms (Home et al., 2014). The results of these studies were parsed to establish a long-term clinical protocol for primary care providers in screening, diagnosing, and treating type 2 diabetes. Future studies should focus on integrating cost effectiveness and comparative effectiveness research in implementing even more nuanced clinical decisions through a structured protocol. The cost effectiveness of existing and new interventions--both clinical and non-clinical in nature--will also need to be continuously assessed to ensure that the measurements incorporate the most accurate set of assumptions on costs and effectiveness.

Objectives: To explore how adjustment to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be understood using psychological (in)flexibility, the theoretical model underlying acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The specific research questions are: (a) what are participant experiences of adjustment and coping in T2DM? and (b) how can participant experiences be understood in terms of the processes underlying the model of psychological (in)flexibility? Design: This interview study utilised a cross-case qualitative methodology. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 purposively recruited individuals with a diagnosis of T2DM. Interview transcripts were subjected to an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology. Results: Three primary themes were identified from the IPA: (a) ‘Eating myself into diabetes’: Managing the self in relation to perceived diabetes stigma; (b) My other illness is the real problem: diabetes minimised in the context of co-morbid diagnoses; and (c) Knowledge reduces attachment to the patient-role self-story. Conclusion The interpretation of the qualitative data generated suggests that adjustment to a diagnosis of T2DM is a complex process incorporating intra-individual and systemic factors. Whilst psychological flexibility may be a useful model for understanding and supporting adjustment, interventions are required that also address wider systemic issues such as the integration of care, health-related stigma and relationships with health professionals.

Cardiovascular disease contributes significantly to global morbidity and mortality and is particularly prevalent among individuals with Type 2 diabetes, which is thought to in part be due to the association between diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Traditional cardiovascular risk prediction scores perform well in the general population but their use in people with Type 2 diabetes is limited as they are thought to underperform in high risk groups. Indeed, the use of any risk prediction in people with Type 2 diabetes is a point of discussion among clinicians as people with diabetes are thought by some to be at immediate high risk of CVD, whereas others view them as having a degree of modifiable risk which can be addressed using risk prediction. In the general population, novel markers such as cIMT and carotid plaque, as well as other potential biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, have been explored as possible adjuncts to risk scores in the prediction of cardiovascular disease. The evidence for their use in general populations has been established, although there have been no firm conclusions with regard to recommendations for their use, which is partly due to the high degree of variability in cIMT measurement. However, the evidence for their use in people with Type 2 diabetes is sparse, despite the use of such markers as surrogate CV endpoints in clinical trials. This thesis aimed to describe the frequency, distribution and change of cIMT and carotid plaque, as well as to explore the relationship of cIMT and carotid plaque with cardiovascular risk factors, prevalent cardiovascular disease and future cardiovascular events in older people with Type 2 diabetes. The association between cIMT, carotid plaque and other novel risk markers was also explored. The analysis was performed using data from the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study (ET2DS). This study is a large, prospective cohort study of 1066 men and women with Type 2 diabetes, aged 60-75 years at recruitment, living in Edinburgh and the Lothians. cIMT and carotid plaque were measured at year 1 follow up of the study. Variables concerning cardiovascular risk factors used in this thesis were obtained from the data collection performed at baseline and year 1. A mean of 3.5 years of follow up was available for analysis and is complete for the baseline cohort as data linkage was performed. Mean values of cIMT in the ET2DS were comparable with other studies of cIMT in people with Type 2 diabetes and may indeed be higher than cIMT in the general population. Measurement of cIMT by the sonographer was comparable with computer aided measurements. Increasing cIMT was independently associated (although only modestly) with increasing age, male sex and raised systolic blood pressure. Mean cIMT was associated with prevalent vascular disease and was predictive of incident global cardiovascular events and coronary artery events (but not stroke) over and above UKPDS risk factors, although the clinical impact of this on the reclassification of vascular risk (as demonstrated by net reclassification index (NRI)) was limited. There was a high prevalence of carotid plaque, and in particular “high risk” plaque, in the ET2DS. Different measures of carotid plaque were independently associated with several cardiovascular risk factors. Carotid plaque thickness was independently associated, albeit modestly, with increasing age, male sex, duration of diabetes and hypertension, plaque score with increasing age, hypertension, smoking and low BMI, and high risk plaque with hypertension and low BMI. All measures of carotid plaque were associated with prevalent vascular disease. However, despite these associations, carotid plaque did not have any additional predictive value for incident cardiovascular events over and above UKPDS risk factors. Finally, measures of cIMT and carotid plaque in the ET2DS were associated with the biomarkers ankle brachial index (ABI) and NTproBNP. In addition these markers were significantly higher in those individuals with prevalent vascular disease, suggesting a more extensive exploration of the association of these markers in relation to cardiovascular disease in the ET2DS may be warranted. cIMT and carotid plaque are modestly associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease in older adults with Type 2 diabetes. cIMT has been shown to be predictive of incident events while carotid plaque was not, in people with Type 2 diabetes, over and above traditional cardiovascular risk factors, although its impact on risk reclassification may only be small. Further evidence is required from the longer follow up of the ET2DS before firm conclusions can be drawn on the usefulness of cIMT and carotid plaque as risk markers in people with Type 2 diabetes. In addition, large collaborative studies could be used to further explore the relationship of carotid plaque, and change in cIMT with incident cardiovascular events, as well as exploring the additive effect of cIMT and plaque on risk prediction.