title: An investigation of two-dimensional ultrasound carotid plaque presence and intima media thickness in middle-aged South Asian and European men living in the United kingdom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ultrasound studies of carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and plaques are limited in South Asians, a group at elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We determined whether South Asians have a difference in these ultrasound markers compared to Europeans living in the United Kingdom and whether measured risk factor(s) could account for any such differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred South Asian men, aged 40 to 70 years and 100 European men of similar age and BMI, without diagnosed CVD or diabetes, underwent carotid ultrasound for measurement of cIMT and carotid plaque presence. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometry and blood pressure were assessed, fasted blood taken for measurement of cardiometabolic risk factors and demographic and lifestyle factors recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age-adjusted mean (SD) cIMT was similar in South Asians and Europeans (0.64 (0.16) mm v 0.65 (0.12) mm, p = 0.64). Plaque was present in 48 South Asians and 37 Europeans and overall, there was no age-adjusted difference between South Asian and Europeans for plaque score(odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI, 0.86-2.80, p = 0.16), however, South Asians appeared to have more plaques at a younger age than Europeans; at age 40-50 years the odds of South Asians having plaques was 2.63 (95% CI, 1.16-5.93) times that for Europeans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  cIMT is similar between healthy South Asian and European men. Whilst there was no overall difference in plaque presence in South Asians, there is an indication of greater plaque prevalence at younger ages--an observation requiring further investigation. Prospective studies linking plaques to CVD outcomes in South Asians are needed to investigate whether these measures help improve CVD risk prediction.
authors.affiliation: BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nazim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghouri
authors.affiliation: Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Purves
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Deans
authors.affiliation: BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom; Human Potential Centre, AUT University, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Greig
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.affiliation: Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McConnachie
authors.affiliation: BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jason M R
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.affiliation: BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Naveed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sattar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D044465:White People