Aging, components of metabolic syndrome and serum C-reactive protein showed significant relationship with carotid atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known to be associated with an increased risk for cerebro- as well as cardio-vascular disease. Prediction of carotid atherosclerosis by components of MetS, serum C-reactive protein, aging and related factors was conducted for Japanese inhabitants.


METHODS
A total of 887 subjects (761 males, 126 females) were included in the present study. Early atherosclerosis was assessed by measurement of the intima-media thickness of the common carotid arteries.


RESULTS
The carotid arterial intima-media thickness on both the right and left sides significantly increased as the number of components of MetS increased. The maximum intima-media thickness values in the right (left) carotid arteries in the male and female subjects who fulfilled the criteria for MetS were 0.65 ± 0.18 (0.66 ± 0.17) mm and 0.58 ± 0.12 (0.59 ± 0.11) mm, respectively. After adjustment for several factors, the intima-media thickness related significantly with aging, some components of MetS and serum C-reactive protein by multiple regression analysis. β-coefficient of age was largest, presenting 0.457 in right side and 0.479 in left side.


CONCLUSIONS
Aging, metabolic components and serum C-reactive protein are independent predictors of intima-media thickness in subjects.
Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. kawada@nms.ac.jp
Tomoyuki
T
Kawada
Toshiaki
T
Otsuka
Tokiomi
T
Endo
Yoichi
Y
Kon
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
D002097:C-Reactive Protein