Components of metabolic syndrome and female subclinical carotid atherosclerosis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and female subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 835 female subjects were enrolled in this study.MS was defined based on the ATP Ⅲ criteria.Age groups were <45, 45 to 65, and ≥65 years.The participants were evaluated by the number of components of MS and clusters of MS components.Measurement of carotid arteries with B-mode ultrasound imaging was performed.Intima-media thickness and plague of the carotid arteries were regarded as the indicators of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Results The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis, MS components and MS was significantly increased with the increased age.After age was adjusted, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that every component of MS was independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis; the increased waist circumstance and blood pressure and reduced HLD showed stronger effect.The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was increased with increasing number of components of MS.When compared to the 0 MS component group, the odds ratio (OR) of carotid atherosclerosis of the groups with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 components were 1.4, 2.0, 3.4, 5.7 and 7.1, respectively.The altered cluster components of MS impacted differently on carotid atherosclerosis.The clusters of components of MS with increased waist circumstance were more frequent than without ones. Conclusion Every component of MS may be an independent risk factor of carotid atherosclerosis; increased components of MS could contribute higher odd risk to carotid atherosclerosis; clusters of MS components might show different impacts on carotid atherosclerosis. Key words: Metabolic syndrome X; Carotid arteries; Atherosclerosis