Results
A total of 149 patients were included and were divided into the two groups (DM group [n=60] and non-DM group [n=89]). Patients in the non-DM group underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair treatment more frequently (12% vs 2%, P =0.028) and had a higher reintervention rate during the follow-up (9 in 81 patients, 11% vs 2%, P =0.043). There were significant differences between the two groups regarding the aorta-related mortality rate during the acute phase (9% vs 0%,P =0.042) and the all-cause mortality rate (22% vs 7%,P =0.011). Ulcer-like projection (ULP) development (during the acute phase) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.31, P =0.008), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.51-2.49, P <0.001) and MMP-9 levels (HR, 16.82; 95% CI, 7.52-28.71, P <0.001) were associated with an elevated risk for aorta-related mortality.