Evaluation of intima-media thickness of carotid artery and its correlation with metabolic and nutritional factors

Introduction and aim: Carotid intima-media thickness is important to investigate vascular atherosclerosis. Studies have provided conflicting information regarding the factors affecting this thickness. The purpose of this study was to determine carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in adults and investigate its relationship with background variables, metabolic and nutritional factors. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the adult population of Mashhad and in the cohort center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during ۲۰۱۸-۲۰۱۹. At the beginning of the study, a complete history was taken and general examinations were performed. For all subjects, a B-mode ultrasound was performed by a radiologist in the neck region to evaluate the carotid arteries. Also, anthropometric characteristics including height, weight and body mass index and metabolic factors including blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol level, triglyceride level and nutritional factors including daily calorie consumption were calculated. Results: ۴۳۱ people with an average age of ۴۳.۴۱ ± ۶.۵۹ years were included in the study, ۱۹۰ cases (۴۴.۱%) were men and ۲۴۱ cases (۵۵.۹%) were women. Overall, the median thickness of the left carotid artery (۰.۶۳, ۰.۵۰) was ۰.۵۵ mm, and the median thickness of the right carotid artery (۰.۴۹, ۰.۶۱) was ۰.۵۴ mm (P=۰.۰۰۳). Also, the mean intima-media thickness of the right and left carotid artery was significantly higher in males than in females (P<۰.۰۵). Correlation of different quantitative data with intima-media thickness of both carotid arteries showed that all quantitative data except pulse rate (P<۰.۰۵) and energy (P<۰.۰۵) with intima-media thickness of both right and left carotid arteries. They had a significant positive correlation that was weak to moderate. Age and weight had a direct and significant relationship with intima-media thickness of right and left carotid artery (P<۰.۰۵). In addition, male gender was associated with greater thickness of the left carotid artery (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that what is almost certainly related to carotid intima-media thickness is age and weight, which increases with the increase of both carotid intima-media thickness. More studies are needed to confirm these things.