Association between hepatitis C virus seropositivity, carotid-artery plaque, and intima-media thickening.
We investigated the relation between positivity for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and carotid-artery plaque and carotid intima-media thickening by analysing cross-sectional data of individuals undergoing a general health screening test. Of 4784 individuals enrolled, 104 (2.2%) were seropositive for HCV. After adjustment for confounding risk factors, HCV seropositivity was found to be associated with an increased risk of carotid-artery plaque (odds ratio 1.92 [95% CI 1.56-2.38], p=0.002) and carotid intima-media thickening (2.85 [2.28-3.57], p<0.0001). These findings suggest a possible role for chronic hepatitis C in the pathogenesis of carotid arterial remodelling.
Ishizaka
Nobukazu
N
Ishizaka
Yuko
Y
Takahashi
Eiko
E
Tooda
Ei ichi
Ei
Hashimoto
Hideki
H
Nagai
Ryozo
R
Yamakado
Minoru
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology*