title: Carotid intima-media thickness and plasma fibrinogen among subjects with metabolic syndrome: Isfahan cohort study, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of plasma fibrinogen, a key regulator of inflammation processes and increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) to predict metabolic syndrome (MetS) is currently under investigation. We assessed differences in the indicators of cIMT and also plasma fibrinogen level between MetS and non-MetS subjects. We also assessed the role of these two parameters for independently relationship with MetS state.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects in this cross-sectional survey were population-based samples of 93 men and women aged ≥ 35 years and over who were selected from the Isfahan cohort study, Isfahan, Iran. Fibrinogen was measured by the clotting assay of Clauss. Ultrasound studies of the carotid artery were performed to measure cIMT. MetS defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean level of plasma fibrinogen was not different in the two groups with and without MetS (240.10 ± 27.80 vs. 242.56 ± 35.82, P = 0.714), but the mean of cIMT was considerably higher in MetS group than in non-MetS group (0.85 ± 0.06 mm vs. 0.66 ± 0.09 mm, P < 0.001). Using a multivariable logistic regression model, high cIMT could effectively predict MetS state with the presence of different components of MetS (odds ratio = 17.544, 95% confidence interval = 2.151-142.860, P = 0.008). The optimal cutoff point of cIMT for discriminating these two clinical states was 0.6 mm yielding a sensitivity of 61.5% and a specificity of 59.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with MetS demonstrated increased cIMT values compared with those without MetS. However, high plasma fibrinogen level may not be associated with MetS state.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bayanfar
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Hypertension Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heidari
authors.affiliation: PhD Candidate, Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharipour
authors.affiliation: PhD Candidate, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talaie
authors.affiliation: Resident, Heart failure Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sedaghat
keywords: Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Fibrinogen; Metabolic Syndrome; Prediction