title: Association between Fibrinogen and Carotid Atherosclerosis According to Smoking Status in a Korean Male Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although inconsistent, reports have shown fibrinogen levels to be associated with atherosclerosis. Accordingly, since cigarette smoking is associated with increased levels of fibrinogen and atherosclerosis, it may also affect the association between fibrinogen and atherosclerosis. We investigated the associations between fibrinogen and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) according to smoking status in a Korean male population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma fibrinogen levels were measured in 277 men aged 40-87 years without a history of myocardial infarction or stroke. High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was used to examine the common carotid arteries. IMT level was analyzed both as a continuous (IMT-max, maximum value; IMT-tpm, 3-point mean value) and categorical variable (higher IMT; presence of plaque). Serial linear and logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between fibrinogen and IMT according to smoking status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fibrinogen levels were positively associated with IMT-max (standardized β=0.25, p=0.021) and IMT-tpm (standardized β=0.21, p=0.038), even after adjusting for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in current smokers (n=75). No significant association between fibrinogen and IMT, however, was noted in former smokers (n=80) or nonsmokers (n=122). Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for having plaque per one standard deviation higher fibrinogen level were 2.06 (1.09-3.89) for current smokers, 0.68 (0.43-1.10) for former smokers, and 1.06 (0.60-1.87) for nonsmokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that cigarette smoking may modify the association between fibrinogen and carotid atherosclerosis. Further studies are required to confirm this finding in different populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea.; Department of Family Medicine, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Humanities and Social Medicines, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Dae Ryong
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hckim@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Hyeon Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Medical Affairs, Novartis Korea Oncology, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Cardiovascular Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Byeong-Keuk
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Il
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Fibrinogen; atherosclerosis; intima-media thickness; smoking