Intima-media thickness of common carotid artery in patients with arterial hypertension and in presence or absence of metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Aim To study changes in intima-media thickness of common carotid artery (CCA IMT) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and in presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome with different degrees of AH gravity. Material and methods The study included 303 patients with AH 1st–3rd degrees, aged 25–70 years (average age is 52±18 years), 110 men and 193 women. Groups were compared with respect to sex and age. All patients were divided into 2 groups: group A — in absence and group B — in presence of the metabolic syndrome. Within both groups patients were subdivided into 3 subgroups according to AH severity level (1st. 2nd and 3rd). All patients underwent clinical examination, including 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (BPM), lipid profile assessment and carotid artery ultrasound The criteria of metabolic syndrome (MS) were established in accordance with the recommendations of International Diabetic Foundation (IDF, 2005). Results CCА IMT was similar in participants with 1st–2nd degrees of AH with or without MS. It was significantly higher among those with AH and MS, comparing to MS-free hypertensive individuals: 0,99±0,15 vs 0,79±0,11 mm respectively (р<0.05). AH duration correlated with mean CCA IMT (r=0,41, р<0.01) and IMT correlated with total cholesterol level in AH stage Ш patients (r=0,42, р<0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0,34, р<0.01), waist circumference (r=0,31, р<0.01) and blood glucose levels (r=0,29, р<0.01). Conclusion In patients CCA IMT was associated with AH stage Ш, MS, age, AH duration, systolic and pulse BP levels.