DURATION OF DIABETES AS A DETERMINANT OF CORONARY ARTERY CALCIUM SCORE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF GLYCEMIC EXPOSURE AND VASCULAR CALCIFICATION

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a well-established marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accelerates atherosclerotic calcification; however, the role of diabetes duration as an independent determinant of CAC burden remains under-evaluated.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 adults with T2DM who underwent multidetector computed tomography for CAC scoring using the Agatston method. Demographic data, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, lipid profile, and other cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Patients were stratified according to CAC categories: 0, 1-100,101-400, and >400. Correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of CAC score.