title: Association between hepatitis C virus seropositivity, carotid-artery plaque, and intima-media thickening.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Nobukazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishizaka
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishizaka
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Ei ichi
authors.initials: Ei
authors.lastname: Tooda
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Ryozo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamakado
mesh_terms: 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*