Increased Carotid Intima-media Thickness Research Articles

LncRNA MBNL1-AS1 functions as an alternative atherosclerosis biomarker in elderly hypertensive patients and regulates vascular smooth muscle cell function.

The clinical role of long non-coding RNA (MBNL1-AS1) in diagnosing atherosclerosis (AS) risks of hypertensive patients and the effects of MBNL1-AS1 on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) triggered by angiotensin II (Ang II) were investigated. The hypertensive patients were recruited to assess MBNL1-AS1 expression. The ROC curve and Spearman analysis was performed for the significance of MBNL1-AS1. Human VSMCs were treated with Ang II (10-5 mol/L) to establish a hypertensive cell model. MTT and Transwell chamber were used in proliferative and migratory detection of cell models. Targets of MBNL1-AS1 were verified by luciferase activity. Functional enrichment of shared targets of miR-424-5p was researched by GO and KEGG analysis. An increase of MBNL1-AS1 was observed in patients with increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). MBNL1-AS1 could predict the risk of AS and related to cIMT levels. The knockdown of MBNL1-AS1 mitigated the influence of Ang II on cellular proliferation and migration by inhibiting miR-424-5p. Enrichment analysis corroborated that targets of miR-424-5p were mainly involved in serine/threonine kinase activity, MAPK signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. MBNL1-AS1/miR-424-5p axis was connected with the progression of AS induced by hypertension.

Exploring the Potential to Identify Early Development Pre-Atherosclerotic Disease in Pediatric Carotid Arteries

Objective: The aim of these analyses was to determine the potential development of increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and spectral Doppler velocity in a cohort of children who were eligible for federal nutrition support services. Materials and Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted based on data collected during a larger randomized clinical trial. Data were pulled on 108 children, ages 8 to 11 years, who had both cIMT measures, as well as spectral Doppler data, at the level of measured intimae. Additional data such as vessel geometry, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP) were added to the analysis to provide additional descriptive data. Results: The posterior cIMT data provided the best visualization and measurements to assess the presence of early risk for atherosclerosis. In this cohort of 8- to 11-year-olds, the median spectral Doppler values did not exceed the published values for these ages, nor did their systolic blood pressure. In this group, 77 (71%) were classified as having a healthy BMI. However, the posterior cIMT data were compared to published measures of pediatric cIMT values and 60 children (55%) exceeded the expected mean thickness of 0.38 mm + 0.04 on the right and 58 (53%) on the left. Conclusion: The use of spectral Doppler to assess the risk of developing atherosclerosis may not be the best diagnostic tool, based on this cohort. The measurement of cIMT has the most promise to proper classify healthy appearing 8- to 11-year-olds, for early signs of diminished cardiovascular health.

Severe bronchiectasis is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness

BackgroundAlthough bronchiectasis has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease, there is limited evidence of an association with subclinical atherosclerosis, especially carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).MethodsThis prospective study compared CIMT among patients with and without bronchiectasis, and among bronchiectatic patients classified according to disease severity using the FACED score. The study was carried out at a major regional hospital and tertiary respiratory referral centre in Hong Kong.ResultsTotal 155 Chinese patients with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis and 512 controls were recruited. The mean CIMT was 0.58 ± 0.10 mm, 0.63 ± 0.11 mm and 0.66 ± 0.08 mm respectively among controls, patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis and patients with severe bronchiectasis. There was no statistically significant difference in CIMT between patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis and controls. Multivariate linear regression revealed that CIMT was significantly increased in patients with severe bronchiectasis relative to controls. The same phenomenon was observed among patients without a history of cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors.ConclusionsCIMT was significantly increased in patients with severe bronchiectasis compared with controls without bronchiectasis, but not among patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis, which suggested the subclinical atherosclerosis to be more prevalent among patients with severe bronchiectasis.

Thyroid function and incidence of increased carotid intima-media thickness: results from elsa-brasil cohort study

Thyroid function and incidence of increased carotid intima-media thickness: results from elsa-brasil cohort study

Gout and erectile dysfunction: Increased carotid intima-media thickness is independently associated with greater likelihood for erectile dysfunction.

The study aimed to compare gout patients and healthy subjects in terms of erectile dysfunction, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and other variables and to investigate the relationship between CIMT and erectile dysfunction. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 134 male gout patients (median age: 56 years; range, 48 to 62 years) and 104 healthy males (median age: 47 years; range, 40.5 to 54.5 years) between September 2022 and June 2023. Age, comorbidities, height, weight, laboratory results, gout treatment data, insulin resistance evaluated by the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, presence and severity of erectile dysfunction evaluated by the six-item International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain (IIEF-EF), and CIMT measured by ultrasound were assessed. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, greater insulin resistance, erectile dysfunction, and bilaterally increased CIMT were significantly more common in the gout group. The mean IIEF-EF score of gout patients was significantly lower than that of controls. Multivariable logistic regression revealed increased CIMT as the sole parameter independently associated with erectile dysfunction (p=0.010). When both groups were categorized into CIMT-based subsets, erectile dysfunction was present in 97.9% of patients with coexistence of gout and increased CIMT (≥0.9 mm), a significantly higher proportion compared to the other three subsets (p<0.001). Increased CIMT was the only factor independently associated with a greater likelihood of erectile dysfunction in patients with and without gout; however, coexistence of gout and increased CIMT appears to result in a significantly elevated risk for erectile dysfunction.

Regular Mobile Phone Use and Incident Cardiovascular Diseases: Mediating Effects of Sleep Patterns, Psychological Distress, and Neuroticism.

The relationship between mobile phone use and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) is uncertain. We aimed to examine the association of regular mobile phone use with incident CVD and explore the mediating effects of sleep and mental health. A total of 444,027 individuals from the UK Biobank without a history of CVD were included. Regular mobile phone use was defined as at least 1 call per week. Weekly mobile phone usage time was self-reported as the average time of calls per week over the previous 3 months. The primary outcome was incident CVD. The secondary outcomes included each component of CVD and increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). We applied Cox proportional hazard models to assess the association between mobile phone use and incident CVD, and mediation analyses to investigate the role of sleep patterns, psychologic distress, and neuroticism. In a median follow-up period of 12.3 years, 56,181 individuals developed incident CVD. Compared with nonregular mobile phone users, regular mobile phone users had a significantly higher risk of incident CVD (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.06) and increased CIMT (odds ratio 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.18). Among regular mobile phone users, weekly mobile phone usage time was positively associated with the risk of incident CVD, especially in current smokers (P for interaction= 0.001) and diabetic individuals (P for interaction= 0.037). Of the relationship between weekly mobile phone usage time and incident CVD, 5.11% was mediated by sleep patterns, 11.5% by psychological distress, and 2.25% by neuroticism. Weekly mobile phone usage time was positively associated with incident CVD risk, which was partly explained by poor sleep, psychologic distress, and neuroticism.

Adherence to a Healthy Diet and Risk of Multiple Carotid Atherosclerosis Subtypes: Insights from the China MJ Health Check-Up Cohort.

Early-stage phenotypes of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS), such as increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and advanced-stage phenotypes, such as carotid plaque (CP), are at risk for adverse ischemic stroke events. There is limited evidence regarding the causal association between dietary patterns and the risk of CAS in Chinese adults. We therefore examined multiple dietary patterns associated with the risk of CAS and identified the optimal dietary pattern for preventing CAS. We analyzed data collected from the prospective MJ Health Check-up Study (2004-2020), including 13,989 participants 18-80 years of age without CAS. The dietary intake was measured using validated food frequency questionnaires, and dietary pattern scores were calculated for four a priori and four a posteriori dietary patterns. The Cox model was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) relating various dietary pattern scores to the risk of CAS. During 43,903.4 person-years of follow-up, 3732 incidents of increased cIMT and 2861 incident CP events were documented. Overall, the seven dietary patterns, except for the high-protein diet, exhibited significant associations with the risk of increased cIMT and CP. Comparing the highest and lowest quartiles, the a posteriori high-fiber dietary pattern (HFIDP) score demonstrated the strongest inverse associations with the risk of increased cIMT (HR 0.65 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-0.71]) and CP (HR 0.65 [95% CI 0.59-0.73]); conversely, another a posteriori high-fat dietary pattern (HFADP; i.e., incorporating high-fat and processed foods) demonstrated the strongest positive associations with the risk of increased cIMT (HR 1.96 [95% CI 1.75-2.20]) and CP (HR 1.83 [95% CI 1.61-2.08]) (all p for trend < 0.01). Multiple dietary patterns are significantly associated with the risk of early- and advanced-stage phenotypes of CAS. Notably, a high adherence to an HFIDP and low adherence to an HFADP may confer the greatest risk reduction for CAS.

Association of Anthropometric Indices With Midlife Cardiovascular Risk in Young Individuals Without Obesity and Traditional Risk Factors.

The aim of this study was to assess how early-adulthood body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) relate to long-term cardiovascular structure, function, and prognosis in individuals without obesity and with low cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) burden. A total of 2024 participants aged 18 to 30 from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study, without obesity and with low CVRFs defined as the absence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, hypertension, current smoking, and dyslipidemia were included. A CVRF-optimal subgroup was also defined, with blood pressure<120/80 mm Hg, fasting glucose <100 mg/dL, total cholesterol <200, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <130, and women with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥50 mg/dL. Coronary artery calcification, carotid intima-media thickness, left ventricular mass, left ventricular ejection fraction, longitudinal peak systolic strain, and diastolic function were assessed in midlife. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios of BMI and WC for all-cause death and CVD events. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for subclinical CVD. Over 33.9 years (median follow-up), 5.2% (n=105) died, and 2.6% (n=52) had CVD events. Each 1-SD BMI increase was associated with 27% (95% CI, 1.10-1.47), 24% (1.08-1.43), 42% (1.20-1.68), 28% (1.05-1.57), 51% (1.20-1.90), and 49% (1.10-2.02) higher odds of coronary artery calcification presence, increased carotid intima-media thickness, left ventricular hypertrophy, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, low longitudinal peak systolic strain, and diastolic dysfunction, respectively, in the CVRF-low group. Generally, similar associations were found for WC and in the CVRF-optimal subgroup. No significant associations between BMI and WC with CVD and death were found. Elevations in BMI and WC among young low-risk individuals, even within the nonobesity range, are associated with midlife cardiovascular health.

Abnormal vascular thickness and stiffness in young adults with type 1 diabetes: new insights from cutting-edge ultrasound modalities

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Early markers of CVD include increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), but these existing ultrasound technologies show limited spatial and temporal resolution in young adults. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of high-resolution ultrasound modalities, including high frequency ultrasound CIMT (hfCIMT) and ultrafast ultrasound PWV (ufPWV), in young adults with Type 1 Diabetes.MethodsThis is a prospective single-center observational cohort study including 39 participants with T1D and 25 age and sex matched controls. All participants underwent hfCIMT and ufPWV measurements. hfCIMT and ufPWV measures of T1D were compared with controls and associations with age, sex, BMI, A1c, blood pressure, and lipids were studied.ResultsMean age was 24.1 years old in both groups. T1D had a greater body mass index (27.7 [5.7] vs 23.1 [3.2] kg/m2), LDL Cholesterol, and estimated GFR, and had a mean A1c of 7.4 [1.0] % (57 mmol/mol) and diabetes duration of 16.1 [3.7] years with 56% using insulin pumps. In T1D, hfCIMT was significantly increased as compared to controls (0.435 ± 0.06 mm vs 0.379 ± 0.06 mm respectively, p < 0.01). ufPWV measures were significantly increased in T1D (systolic foot PWV: 5.29 ± 0.23 m/s vs 5.50 ± 0.37 m/s, p < 0.01; dicrotic notch PWV = 7.54 ± 0.46 m/s vs 7.92 ± 0.41 m/s, p < 0.01). Further, there was an impact of A1c-measured glycemia on hfCIMT, but this relationship was not seen with ufPWV. No significant statistical correlations between hfCIMT and ufPWV measures in either T1D or healthy controls were observed.ConclusionYoung adults with T1D present with differences in arterial thickness and stiffness when compared with controls. Use of novel high-resolution ultrasound measures describe important relationships between early structural and vascular pathophysiologic changes and are promising tools to evaluate pre-clinical CVD risk in youth with T1D.Trial Registration: ISRCTN91419926.

DETERMINANTS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF COMMON CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA ROUGHNESS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION AND TYPE 2 DIABETES

Objective: Carotid atherosclerosis, including increased intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque, is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The role of the irregularity of the carotid intima-media surface in terms of total CV risk has been insufficiently investigated. This study investigated determinants and associations of common carotid intima-media roughness in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Design and method: Adults with type-2 diabetes and hypertension were evaluated with (i) 24h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring (20 min intervals, Microlife WatchBPO3), (ii) carotid ultrasonography for the calculation of the common carotid IMT (use of automated software that allows the calculation of the average value of multiple measurements), carotid plaque score (CPS), and standard deviation (SD) of the common carotid intima-media (derived for the multiple measurements performed for the calculation of the IMT), and (iii) ultrasound estimation of left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Results: Ninety-five individuals were analyzed [age 66.3±8.9 years, 61 men, body mass index (BMI) 30.8±4.8 kg/m2, HbA1c 6.6±0.8%, 24-hour ABP (systolic/diastolic) 123±13/69.4±7.3 mmHg, IMT 0.83±0.16 mm, SD IMT 0.07±0.03 mm, CPS 5.5±4.8 mm]. SD IMT was correlated with IMT (r=0.49, p&lt;0.001), nighttime systolic ABP (r=0.21, p&lt;0.05), 24h weighted SD of systolic ABP (r=0.26, p&lt;0.05), CPS (r=0.30, p&lt;0.01) and LVMI (r=0.39, p&lt;0.001). In stepwise multivariable regression analysis with age, nighttime systolic ABP, 24h weighted SD of systolic ABP, total number of IMT measurements and IMT as independent variables, the SD IMT was determined by IMT (β=0.08, p&lt;0.001) and 24h weighted SD of systolic ABP (β=0.003, p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that in patients with type-2 diabetes and hypertension, carotid intima-media roughness is determined by IMT and the variability of 24h systolic ABP, and is associated with the severity of carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy.

A Study of Assessment of Preclinical Atherosclerosis by Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Younger than 50 Years of Age and Their Correlation with Disease Activity: A Comparative, Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition that has been linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis and enhanced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Most literature encompasses older age groups. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with newly diagnosed RA who are younger than 50 years of age and do not display the symptoms or traditional risk factors of CVD and compare it to the controls with same age and gender without RA. Furthermore, the correlation between CIMT and the disease activity Score -28 (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were examined. Subjects and Methods: The study enrolled 48 patients with RA and 51 healthy controls who met the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients underwent CIMT by the ultrasound. Results: There was a significant increase in common carotid artery CIMT on both the right and left sides (P &lt; 0.001) in RA patients as compared to controls. The correlations between CIMT (right and left) and DAS 28 ESR were only poor and negative. Conclusion: Younger patients with RA showed higher CIMT than age- and sex-matched controls, indicating an increased risk of future cardiovascular events even in the young.

The Relationship between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as a Potential Marker of Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

Thyroid dysfunction is known to have significant consequences on the cardiovascular system. The correlation between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been frequently evaluated in clinical studies in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of this association through a meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, MedLine, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the keywords 'subclinical hypothyroidism and carotid intima-media thickness', from the beginning of each database until January 2023. We established the inclusion and exclusion criteria and considered studies that met the inclusion criteria. We used Jamovi for statistical analysis of the data. We identified 39 observational studies that met the inclusion criteria, with 3430 subjects: 1545 SCH and 1885 EU. Compared to euthyroid subjects (EU), subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) had significantly increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) values; the estimated average mean difference was 0.08 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.10), p < 0.01, I2 = 93.82%. After the sensitivity analysis, a total of 19 from the 39 abovementioned studies were analyzed, with most studies showing a positive association between SCH and thickening of the carotid wall; the estimated average mean difference was 0.04 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.07), p = 0.03, I2 = 77.7. In addition, female sex, advanced age, and high cholesterol levels statistically significantly influenced this association. Our meta-analysis indicates a significant positive association between SCH and increased CIMT, but with some limitations.

Abstract P367: Regularity in Sleep and Eating Timing is Associated With Decreased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Healthy Young Adults

Introduction: Greater regularity in daily sleep and eating timing are independently and separately associated with lower carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerotic development in early adulthood. Not known is the extent to which achieving regularity in both sleep and eating would be associated with a lower CIMT as compared to achieving regularity in either behavior alone, or neither. Such information could help identify behavioral target priorities for cardioprotective interventions. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that individuals achieving both sleep and eating regularity would have a lower CIMT than individuals with either sleep or eating regularity, or neither. Methods: Healthy adults aged 18-45 years (N=65, 29.7±7.2 years, 63% female) completed 14 days of sleep and dietary assessments via wrist accelerometry and photo-assisted diet records, respectively. Mean time for sleep midpoint (midpoint time between sleep onset and offset) and caloric midpoint (time at which 50% of total daily calories are consumed), sleep regularity (i.e., a mean sleep midpoint standard deviation (SD) of &lt;60 minutes), and eating regularity (i.e., caloric midpoint SD &lt; median of 154 minutes) values were generated. A 4-level ‘sleep and eating regularity’ variable was generated that distinguished between participants achieving regularity in: (1) both sleep and eating, (2) only eating, (3) only sleep, or (4) neither. A linear regression model evaluating the association between sleep and eating regularity with CIMT adjusting for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, sleep duration, and total energy intake was estimated. Results: Participants who achieved regularity in both sleep and eating (n=23) had the lowest M CIMT =0.523mm (SD=0.043), those who achieved only sleep regularity (n=10) had a M CIMT =0.549mm (SD=0.078), only eating regularity (n=16) had a M CIMT =0.568mm (SD=0.065), and those achieving neither sleep or eating regularity (n=16) had the highest M CIMT =0.575mm (SD=0.074). In a controlled model, the 4-level sleep and eating regularity variable was significantly associated with CIMT (F=2.95, p=.04, model R 2 =.33), with regularity in both demonstrating pairwise significance as compared to neither (p = 0.02) and eating regularity only (p = 0.02). Given that a 1-SD increase in CIMT (~0.06-0.07mm) has been shown to confer a 40% increased risk for first-time CVD events in adults &lt;45 years old, the ~0.05mm difference in CIMT between regular vs. irregular groups has clinical meaning. Conclusions: Regularity in sleep and eating may be associated with lower subclinical atherosclerosis as early as young adulthood. Future studies evaluating the cardioprotective effects of promoting regularity of modifiable behaviors (eating and sleep) in adults at elevated CVD risk are warranted.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness and cardiometabolic risk factors are associated with IL-6 gene polymorphisms in Mexican individuals: The Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease Mexican study.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the association of three IL-6 gene polymorphisms with increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and cardiometabolic risk factors. Three IL-6 polymorphisms (rs1800795, rs2069827, and rs1800796) were analyzed in 178 individuals with increased CIMT (CIMT ≥75th percentile) and 906 individuals without increased CIMT (CIMT <75th percentile). Logistic regression, adjusted for confounding variables, was employed to assess the associations. The rs1800796 polymorphism was significantly associated with an elevated risk of increased CIMT (OR = 1.354, Padditive = 0.016; OR = 1.803, Precessive = 0.014; OR = 1.989, Pcodominant2 = 0.008). One haplotype (GCG) correlated with a higher risk of increased CIMT (OR = 1.288; P = 0.008), while another (GGG) demonstrated a reduced risk (OR = 0.773; P = 0.006). In individuals without increased CIMT, the rs2069827 polymorphism was associated with low risks of central obesity, hypoalphalipoproteinemia, and a low risk of presenting with high levels of total cholesterol (TC), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) /HDL-C index, apolipoprotein B, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The rs1800796 polymorphism was associated with a low risk of adipose tissue insulin resistance, and the rs1800795 was associated with a minimal risk of central obesity and hypoalphalipoproteinemia. Among those with increased CIMT, the rs2069827 was associated with low risks of central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome, and a high triglyceride (TG)/HDL-C index, while rs1800796 was associated with a low risk of fatty liver. Similar IL-6 concentrations were observed in both individuals with and without increased CIMT. In conclusion, the rs1800796 polymorphism is associated with increased CIMT, while the rs2069827 and rs1800795 are linked to cardiovascular risk factors.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis compared to controls and associations with markers of inflammation

ObjectiveThere is an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to, overall and stratified by sex, (i) compare ultrasound derived carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), between patients and controls, and (ii) investigate associations between cIMT, clinical disease activity and inflammation-related laboratory markers in patients with r-axSpA.MethodIn total, 155 patients diagnosed with r-axSpA using the modified New York criteria and 400 controls were included. Bilateral carotid ultrasound, laboratory testing, and questionaries were acquired. Disease-specific assessments were carried out for patients. Linear regression analysis was used to assess associations.ResultsLinear regression analyses showed that patients with r-axSpA had increased mean cIMT compared to controls (mean ± SD, 0.8 ± 0.1 mm vs 0.7± 0.1 mm, respectively, unstandardized β (95% CI) -0.076 (-0.10, -0.052), P < 0.001) adjusted for smoking status and age. Linear regression analyses for patients with r-axSpA showed that only males presented significant associations between cIMT and inflammation-related laboratory markers, white blood cell (WBC) count (mean ± SD, 6.8 ± 1.6 109/L) and monocytes (0.6 ± 0.2 109/L); WBC count (unstandardized β (95% CI) 0.019 (0.0065, 0.031), P = 0.003, R2 = 0.57) and monocytes (0.13 (0.0047, 0.26), P = 0.041, R2 = 0.55), adjusted for age, smoking status, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, ASDAS-CRP, and treatment with DMARDs and glucocorticoids. No significant association was found between cIMT and clinical disease activity assessed by ASDAS-CRP.ConclusionPatients with r-axSpA had significantly increased cIMT compared to controls. In male patients, higher WBC and monocyte count were associated with an increase in cIMT suggesting the role of inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis.Key Points•Carotid intima-media thickness was increased in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis compared to controls.•White blood cell and monocyte counts were associated with carotid intima-media thickness in male patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

ABO Blood Groups, RhD Factor and Their Association with Subclinical Atherosclerosis Assessed by Carotid Ultrasonography.

Background: The ABO blood group system has previously been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), where non-O blood group individuals have shown an increased risk. Studies assessing early atherosclerotic disease while also including RhD are few. We aimed to determine whether the ABO and RhD blood groups are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in a healthy population. Methods: We included 3532 participants from the VIPVIZA trial with available carotid ultrasonography results to assess subclinical disease. Information about blood groups was obtained from the SCANDAT-3 database, where 85% of VIPVIZA participants were registered. Results: RhD- individuals aged 40 years showed increased carotid intima-media thickness (B 1.09 CI 95% 1.03; 1.14) compared to RhD+ individuals. For ABO, there were no differences in ultrasonography results when assessing the whole study population. However, 60-year-old individuals with heredity for CVD and a non-O blood group had decreased odds for carotid plaques (OR 0.54 CI 95% 0.33; 0.88). Conclusions: RhD blood group is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in younger individuals, indicating a role as a mediator in the atherosclerotic process. In addition, a non-O blood group was associated with decreased subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals aged 60 and with heredity (corresponding to the group with the highest atherosclerotic burden).

Monocyte lymphocyte ratio, IL 6, and their association with increased carotid intima-media thickness as simple predictive markers for nephropathy in Egyptian diabetic patients

BackgroundInflammation is a cardinal mechanism of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Interleukin-6 (IL6) is a reliable indicator that plays a role in the progression of DKD. Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) is also implicated in this inflammatory process. The progression of DKD is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), which is an independent predictor of atherosclerosis.AimThe role of IL6 and MLR ratio influencing the progression of DKD was assessed using the urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Moreover, their contribution to increasing CIMT in DKD was assessed.MethodsAn observational prospective study was conducted on ninety diabetic patients presented to the Internal Medicine Clinic at Kasr AlAiny. The subjects were classified into three groups, thirty patients for each, according to UACR: with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria. A history and clinical assessment, CBC, MLR, HbA1c, lipid profile, IL6, creatinine, and eGFR were carried out. Furthermore, CIMT was measured using Doppler ultrasound.ResultsThe results showed that IL6 and MLR were significantly higher in the macroalbuminuria group compared to the other two groups with p < 0.001, suggesting that their higher level could predict the progression of DKD. According to the ROC curve, the cutoff values of MLR and IL6 were 0.3425 and 7 pg/ml, respectively. Moreover, CIMT increased significantly in micro and macroalbuminuric patients with p > 0.001. IL6 and MLR were positively correlated with CIMT in micro and macroalbuminuric patients.ConclusionBoth MLR and IL-6, as simple biomarkers associated with increased CIMT, play an important role in predicting the nephropathy of DKD patients.

Investigation of flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and comparison with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

There is a high mortality rate in cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) due to cardiovascular complications. The cardiovascular prognosis is negatively affected by endothelium dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness, and impaired vascular system. This study aimed to determine carotid intimal mean thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in a group of children with cyanotic CHD (CCHD). FMD and CIMT were evaluated for 45 children with CHKD and 38 patients who did not have CHKD over the period 2021 to 2022, as part of this case-control study. In terms of age and gender, the case group has been compared to controls. Men accounted for 61.3% of the participants, with a mean standard deviation age of 7.8 5.39 years. In subjects with CCHD, CIMT increased non-significantly and FMD decreased significantly, but systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in patients than in the healthy group. (P=0.003). FMD was reduced in children with CCHD, but in controls, systolic blood pressure and CIMT were lower. The risk of developing atherosclerosis in CCHD patients may be increased by an increase in CIMT and systolic blood pressure.

National and Provincial-Level Prevalence and Risk Factors of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Chinese Adults

Epidemiologic studies on carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) based on nationwide ultrasonography measurements can contribute to understanding the future risk of cardiovascular diseases and identifying high-risk populations, thereby proposing more targeted prevention and treatment measures. To estimate the prevalence of CAS within the general population of China and to investigate its distribution among populations with potential risk factors and variation across diverse geographic regions. This multicenter, population-based cross-sectional study used China's largest health check-up chain database to study 10 733 975 individuals aged 20 years or older from all 31 provinces in China who underwent check-ups from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2022. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed and graded using ultrasonography as increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid plaque (CP), and carotid stenosis (CS). The overall and stratified prevalences were estimated among the general population and various subpopulations based on demographic characteristics, geographic regions, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Mixed-effects regression models were used to analyze the risk factors for CAS. Among 10 733 975 Chinese participants (mean [SD] age, 47.7 [13.4] years; 5 861 566 [54.6%] male), the estimated prevalences were 26.2% (95% CI, 25.0%-27.4%) for increased cIMT, 21.0% (95% CI, 19.8%-22.2%) for CP, and 0.56% (95% CI, 0.36%-0.76%) for CS. The prevalence of all CAS grades was higher among older adults (eg, increased cIMT: aged ≥80 years, 92.7%; 95% CI, 92.2%-93.3%), male participants (29.6%; 95% CI, 28.4%-30.7%), those residing in northern China (31.0%; 95% CI, 29.1%-32.9%), and those who had comorbid conditions, such as hypertension (50.8%; 95% CI, 49.7%-51.9%), diabetes (59.0%; 95% CI, 57.8%-60.1%), dyslipidemia (32.1%; 95% CI, 30.8%-33.3%), and metabolic syndrome (31.0%; 95% CI, 29.1%-32.9%). Most cardiovascular disease risk factors were independent risk factors for all CAS stages (eg, hypertension: 1.60 [95% CI, 1.60-1.61] for increased cIMT, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.62-1.63] for CP, and 1.48 [95% CI, 1.45-1.51] for CS). Moreover, the magnitude of the association between several cardiovascular disease risk factors and increased cIMT and CP differed between the sexes and geographic regions. These findings suggest that nearly one-quarter of Chinese adults have increased cIMT or CP. The burden of this disease is unevenly distributed across geographic regions and subpopulations and may require different levels of local planning, support, and management. Addressing these disparities is crucial for effectively preventing and managing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China.

Increased carotid intima media thickness as an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk in patients with primary familial erythrocytosis

Increased carotid intima media thickness as an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk in patients with primary familial erythrocytosis