Screening and Risk Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Review

Current literature indicates that there is a strong correlation between coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes. The arteriosclerotic progression occurs earlier and in a greater extent in the diabetic than in the non-diabetic population. In diabetic subjects, the detection of arterial disease does not always precede the development of an acute arterial incident. Herein, we reviewed studies published within the last 5 years in order to reveal the risk factors for coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, we aimed to discuss how to diagnose in an early stage or even screen the presence of coronary artery disease in asymptomatic diabetic patients. Possible blood markers as predictors of CAD, which are mostly related to the lipidemic profile of subjects, are included in this review. Less invasive imaging methods than conventional coronary angiography, included in the article, are gradually used more in the diagnosis of CAD and show high effectiveness. Data from 23 articles with 22,350 patients having type 2 diabetes were summarized and presented descriptively.