Assessment of the predictive value of carotid color Doppler ultrasound Crouse score combined with high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein in elderly diabetics with cerebral infarction

Abstract Background Both the carotid Crouse score and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels are commonly used to evaluate atherosclerosis and vascular inflammatory response. This study was to investigate the correlation between the Crouse score and hs‐CRP and cerebral infarction (CI) in elderly diabetics. Methods We compared the carotid Crouse scores and hs‐CRP levels between two groups of diabetic patients with and without CIs ( n = 100 each) and the relationship between changes in these indices and CI. Results Between the four groups (control, diabetic with a large CI, diabetic with a small CI, and diabetic with a lacunar CI) there was a significant difference in the age, sex, Crouse scores and hs‐CRP levels, as well as fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis with CI as the dependent variable showed that the age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.114, 95% confidence interval [CFI]: 1.063–1.167, p = 0.000), FBG (OR = 1.260, 95% CFI: 1.102–1.570, p = 0.039), HbA1c (OR = 2.036, 95% CFI: 1.348–3.703, p = 0.001), Crouse score (OR = 2.721, 95% CFI: 1.800–4.114, p = 0.000) and hs‐CRP level (OR = 3.364, 95% CFI: 2.185–5.180, p = 0.000) were risk factors for a CI in combination with diabetes mellitus. Significant differences were found in age, diastolic blood pressure, Crouse scores and hs‐CRP levels between the male diabetic‐non‐CI subgroup, female diabetic‐non‐CI subgroup, male diabetic‐CI subgroup and female diabetic‐CI subgroup (All p < 0.05). Conclusion The carotid Crouse score method has high reliability and reflects the severity of carotid atherosclerosis. The age, sex, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, Crouse score, an elevated hs‐CRP level, and the occurrence of CI in elderly with diabetes mellitus are closely related.