Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects nearly 350 million people worldwide, and is one of the leading risk factors for atherosclerotic disease in both carotid arteries and peripheral arteries in the lower extremities (PAD). On the other hand, T2DM decreases the risk for another important and potentially lethal vascular disease; abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Swedish patients undergoing vascular and endovascular surgery for carotid atherosclerosis, PAD, or AAA are registered in the Swedish vascular registry (Swedvasc), and are followed up in the registry after one and 12 months with regard to survival, amputation, or complications.

We have access to data from 33564 operated patients. T2DM patients in Sweden are registered in the National Diabetes Register (NDR), reporting data on treatment and risk factor control. We have access to data from 568241 diabetic patients. In collaboration with Registercentrum Västra Götaland, data from these registries are merged, generating information about the risk for carotid artery atheroscerosis, PAD, and AAA in diabetic patients in comparison to subjects without diabetes, matched with respect to gender, age, and region. Furthermore, predisposing factors for AAA-development in diabetic patients can be assessed in comparison to risk factors for development of carotid artery disease and PAD.

The impact of diabetes mellitus upon results of vascular surgery in patients with carotid atherosclerosis, PAD, and AAA can also be evaluated. Relationships between disturbances in glucose metabolism and arterial stiffness in 65-year old men with and without AAA are also assessed.