title: Tinnitus is associated with increase in the intima-media thickness of carotid arteries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries is considered as an early indicator of atherosclerosis. The authors here aimed to assess whether tinnitus is associated with such thickening by a cross-sectional approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 820 male (53.5 ± 9.6 years) and 528 female (54.5 ± 9.7 years) Japanese undergoing a brain screening program including ultrasonographical evaluation of carotid arteries between April 2007 and April 2009 were included in the study. Increased intima-media thickness was defined as ≥ 1 mm. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, hypertension and smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased intima-media thickness was observed in 53.1% overall (in 57.6% of men and in 46.2% of women), with significant associations with tinnitus (odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.22), age, male gender and hypertension. The tinnitus link persisted after adjustment for the confounding factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tinnitus is associated with increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries in Japanese undergoing a brain screening program.
authors.affiliation: Okazaki City Medical Association, Public Health Center, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukatsu
authors.forename: Tamaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Sadao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoneyama
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Joh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography