title: [The characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the structure and function of the carotid artery in the metabolic syndrome (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  171 patients were divided into three groups: metabolic syndrome (MS), diabetes mellitus (DM), and essential hypertension (EH). Plasma lipids and ultrasonography for carotid artery were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of TG, LDL, ApoB were significantly higher in MS as compared with those EH (P < 0.01, 0.05, 0.01). Levels of TG were higher in MS as compared with those in DM (P < 0.01). The carotid resistance index and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid artery were significantly higher in MS as compared with those in DM or EH (P < 0.05). The occurrence rate of carotid plaque and plaque index was higher in patients with MS than that in patients with EH or DM (P < 0.01, 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clustering of multiple cardiovascular risk factors can cause more severe atherosclerosis of carotid artery in MS.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids