Impact of multiple cardiovascular risk factors on the carotid intima-media thickness in young adults: the Kangwha Study.
OBJECTIVE
Although risk factors for coronary artery disease are also associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), there is little information available on the asymptomatic, young adult population. We examined the association between multiple cardiovascular risk factors and the common carotid IMT in 280 young Korean adults.


METHODS
The data used for this study was obtained from 280 subjects (130 men and 150 women) aged 25 years who participated in the Kangwha Study follow-up examination in 2005. We measured cardiovascular risk factors, including anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood chemistry, carotid ultrasonography, and reviewed questionnaires on health behaviors. Risk factors were defined as values above the sex-specific 75th percentile of systolic blood pressure, body mass index, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, fasting blood glucose and smoking status.


RESULTS
The mean carotid IMT +/- standard deviation observed was 0.683 +/- 0.079 mm in men and 0.678 +/- 0.067 mm in women (p=0.567) and the evidence of plaque was not observed in any individuals. Mean carotid IMT increased with an increasing number of risk factors(p for trend <0.001) and carotid IMT values were 0.665 mm, 0.674 mm, 0.686 mm, 0.702 mm, and 0.748 mm for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 to 5 risk factors, respectively. The odds ratio for having the top quartile carotid IMT in men with 3 or more risk factors versus 0-2 risk factors was 5.09 (95% CI, 2.05-12.64).


CONCLUSIONS
Current findings indicate the need for prevention and control of cardiovascular risk factors in young adults and more focus on those with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Chang
Hoo Sun
HS
Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Hyeon Chang
HC
Ahn
Song Vogue
SV
Hur
Nam Wook
NW
Suh
Il
I
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography