Aim To examine carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and its determinants in elderly type 2 diabetes(DM)subjects, classified according to the new criteria of WHO 1999, in comparison with age and sex matched controled subjects with normal glucose level. Methods We compared the results of common carotid IMT and plaques from the subjects of type 2 diabetics aged 60～84 years with that of the non diabetic as controls. Results The diabetes subjects, both men and women, displayed carotid intima media thickness (p<0.05). Among the coronary risk factors, triglycerides (TG) was significantly increased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) decreased. In the diabetic group, IMT was correlated to triglycerides, TC/HDLC(p<0.05), HbA1c (p<0.05), blood pressure, age, sex, and duration. Conclusions The results suggest that hyperglycemia, together with a clustering of risk factors, and in particular dyslipidemia, may cause intima media thickness in the elderly type 2 diabetic patients.