title: Coexistence between carotid artery stenosis and colorectal adenomatous polyps in middle-aged men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal neoplasia and cardiovascular disease appear to share common risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the association between the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMT) or carotid artery stenosis (CAS) on carotid artery ultrasonography and the presence of colorectal adenomas in middle-aged asymptomatic men.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted among 1,877 asymptomatic male subjects, 40-59 years, who underwent both carotid artery ultrasonography and colonoscopy for routine health examination. Clinical information was collected from a standardized questionnaire, physical examination and blood tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of overall colorectal adenomatous polyps (APs) was 31.4% (591/1,877). The subjects were divided into two groups according to the presence of APs in the colorectum. The prevalence of IMT >or=10 mm was significantly higher in the subjects with CAS than in those without CAS (10.1 vs. 0.7%, p < 0.001). CAS was more prevalent in the AP-positive group than in the AP-negative group (40.5 vs. 30.2%, p = 0.001). Moreover, CAS was more prevalent in the advanced AP-positive group than in the advanced AP-negative group (15.2 vs. 8.2%, p = 0.048).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that there is a relationship between colorectal AP and CAS, probably due to common risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Beom Jin
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong Kyung
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hee Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Poong-Lyul
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Jae J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Chul
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Yeon Hyeon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: Yoon-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sang Goon
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Young-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography