Association between carotid intima media thickness and acute ischemic stroke at an Indonesian tertiary referral hospital

Abstract

ObjectivesA high prevalence of tobacco smoking contributes to a high incidence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in Indonesia. Large-artery atherosclerosis is known to be a significant cause of AIS. The present study was aimed at evaluating the association between AIS and atherosclerosis on the basis of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements in a tertiary care hospital in Indonesia. MethodsA total of 79 patients with AIS (case study group) and 79 individuals without AIS (control group) were included. Chi-squared tests and odds ratios were used to compare the groups and determine associations. We also considered factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), sex, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, smoking status, dyslipidemia, socioeconomic status, and educational level in the statistical analyses. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsStratification of atherosclerosis into case study and control groups with respect to all study variables indicated a significant relationship (p > 0.05) between atherosclerosis and all variables except low socioeconomic status (p = 0.265) and low educational level (p = 0.180). Regression analysis demonstrated that a BMI ≥25 kg/m2, compared with a normal BMI, was associated with a 2.139-fold higher risk of atherosclerosis. ConclusionsAIS was associated with atherosclerosis, on the basis of CIMT measurements, according to age, BMI, sex, T2DM, hypertension, smoking status, dyslipidemia, socioeconomic status, and education level in the Indonesian population.