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Association of risk factors for atherosclerosis, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, with carotid intima-media thickness, plaque score, and pulse wave velocity in a male population

Hypertension Research volume 43, pages 422–430 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque score (PS), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are noninvasive parameters used for the evaluation of atherosclerosis. There have been no reports investigating the associations between IMT, PS, or baPWV and known risk factors for atherosclerosis in the same participants. This study aimed to compare the contributing risk factors among IMT, PS, and baPWV. We enrolled 3128 male participants who underwent health checkups. Carotid ultrasonography was used to measure IMT and PS, and baPWV was measured using an automatic device. We analyzed the association between these parameters and risk factors for atherosclerosis including obesity, smoking, alcohol, high blood pressure (BP), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), dyslipidemia (DL), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed high IMT (>0.9 mm) to be independently associated with high BP. The presence of atherosclerosis (PS ≥ 1.1 mm) was independently associated with high BP, IFG, and DL. In addition, advanced atherosclerosis (PS ≥ 5.1 mm) showed a significant association with high BP, IFG, DL, log hs-CRP, and smoking. High baPWV (≥1600 cm/s) was significantly correlated with high BP, IFG, and log hs-CRP. IMT, PS, and baPWV were all associated with different risk factors among male Japanese participants. Only high BP was a common risk factor for all three parameters. Furthermore, hs-CRP was associated with advanced atherosclerosis but not with the presence of atherosclerosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and Hypertension, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan

    Satoko Ojima, Takuro Kubozono, Shin Kawasoe, Takeko Kawabata, Masaaki Miyata & Mitsuru Ohishi

  2. JA Kagoshima Kouseiren Medical Health Care Center, Kagoshima, Japan

    Hironori Miyahara & Shigeho Maenohara

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  1. Satoko Ojima
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Ojima, S., Kubozono, T., Kawasoe, S. et al. Association of risk factors for atherosclerosis, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, with carotid intima-media thickness, plaque score, and pulse wave velocity in a male population. Hypertens Res 43, 422–430 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-019-0388-2

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