Doctoral defence: Kati Kärberg "Factors and markers predicting subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes"

On December 6th 2024 Kati Kärberg will defend her thesis "Factors and markers predicting subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes".  

Supervisor:
Professor Margus Lember, University of Tartu

Opponent: 
Professor Roberto Elosua, University of Vic - Central University of Catalunya (Spain)

Summary:
Type 2 diabetes is a rapidly spreading chronic disease that causes severe vascular complications, so patients with this disease are at increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can develop asymptomatically until serious cardiovascular diseases appear. Subclinical atherosclerosis, characterized by thickening of the artery walls and plaque formation without apparent symptoms, can last long before complications occur. Therefore, its early detection is essential in preventing vascular complications. Obesity, often associated with type 2 diabetes, promotes the development of atherosclerosis through adipokines. This research aims to identify factors and markers that help predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients who have not previously been diagnosed with atherosclerosis or its complications. In addition to blood tests, the study also carried out a 24-hour nutrition analysis, measured the ankle-brachial index, and assessed the condition of the carotid arteries and body composition. The results showed that ankle-brachial index and visfatin level determination may help detect subclinical atherosclerosis and risk assessment in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study highlights the importance of dietary habits, as an unbalanced diet with too much fat and salt and too few carbohydrates can accelerate atherosclerosis development. A healthy diet and regular screening are important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Measurement of visfatin levels may be a valuable tool for assessing atherosclerosis risk, thereby improving prevention and treatment strategies.

You can also watch defense via Teams.