Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine (대한예방의학회)
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Associations between Carotid Intima-media Thickness, Plaque and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

경동맥 내중막 두께 및 죽종과 심 혈관 질환 위험요인과의 관련성

  • Lee, Young-Hoon (Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Cui, Lian-Hua (Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Department of Preventive Medicine, Yanbian University Medical College) ;
  • Shin, Min-Ho (Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Kweon, Sun-Seog (Department of Preventive Medicine, Seonam University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Kyeong-Soo (Department of Preventive Medicine, Seonam University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jeong, Seul-Ki (Department of Neurology, Chonbuk National University Medical School) ;
  • Chung, Eun-Kyung (Department of Medical Education, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Choi, Jin-Su (Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School)
  • 이영훈 (전남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 최련화 (전남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 연변대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 신민호 (전남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 권순석 (서남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 박경수 (서남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 정슬기 (전북대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실) ;
  • 정은경 (전남대학교 의과대학 의학교육학교실) ;
  • 최진수 (전남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Published : 2006.11.30
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Abstract

Objectives : This study was conducted to examine the association between the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque and cardiovascular risk factors according to gender and age. Methods : The data used for this study were obtained from 1,507 subjects (691 men, 816 women), aged 20-74 years, who participated in 'Prevalence study of thyroid diseases' in two counties of Jeollanam-do Province during July and August of 2004. The body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were calculated by anthropometry The blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and fasting blood sugar level were also measured. Ultrasonography was used to measure the carotid artery IMT and plaque. IMT measurements were performed at 6 sites, including both common carotid arteries, and the bulb and internal carotid arteries. The definition of the 'mean IMT' was mean value obtained from these 6 sites. Results : The ${\pm}$ standard deviation IMT values were $0.65{\pm}0.14\;and\;0.60{\pm}0.13mm$ in men and women (p<0.001), respectively. The data were analyzed according to gender and the 50 year age groups. In a multiple linear regression analysis, age and hypertension were positively associated with the mean IMT in both men and women, aged<50 years. Age, total cholesterol and smoking (current) were positively associated with the mean IMT in men $(\geq50\;years)$. Age was positively associated with the mean IMT in women $(\geq50\;years)$, but the HDL cholesterol level was negatively associated. The prevalence of plaques was 44.2%(196/443) in men and 19.4%(89/459) in women, for those greater than 50 years of age. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, age (OR=1.090, 95%CI=1.053-1.129), HDL cholesterol (OR=0.964, 95%CI=0.944-0.984), total cholesterol (OR=1.009, 95%CI=1.002-1.017)and BMI (OH=0.896, 95%CI=0.818-0.983) were independently associated with plaques in men; whereas, age (OR=1.057, 95%CI=1.012-1.103), HDL cholesterol (OR=0.959, 95%CI=0.932-0.986), pulse pressure (OR=1.029, 95%CI=1.007-1.050) and triglycerides (OR=0.531, 95%CI=0.300-0.941) were independently associated with plaques in women. Conclusions: There were significant gender and aging differences in the association between the IMT, plaque and cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, for the prevention of atherosclerosis, selective approaches should be considered with regard to gender and age factors.

Keywords

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