The Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Intima-media Thickness of the Common Carotid Artery (IMT-CCA) in Young Adult Men

Kim, Sun Kyoung; Kang, Jee Hyun; Jeon, Hee Seon; Yu, Byung Yeon; Lee, Yeon Jung

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Increased intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, determined by B-mode ultrasound is an early marker of atherosclerosis and a powerful predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. MS (metabolic syndrome) is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk in middle-aged and older adults. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and components of MS and to evaluate whether the clustering of multiple components of MS has a greater impact on intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery compared to individual components of MS in young adult men without cardiovascular risk factors.
METHODS
Total of 84 men were enrolled for the study, each individuals were examined for physical measurements and blood tests. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery was estimated by B-mode ultrasound imaging. The relationship between intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and MS components was studied by multiple regression models and One way ANOVA. Multiple regression models included each individual component of MS as categorical variables.
RESULTS
Of 84 subjects, 18 (21.4%) had MS. According to partial correlation analysis, intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery had a significant correlation with BMI (r = 0.3168, P = 0.014), Pulse pressure (r = -0.3124, P = 0.016), and LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.2877, P = 0.027). Multiple regression models showed that high triglyceride was an independent determinant of increased intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. (P = 0.012) In One way ANOVA, intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery increased with the number of MS components. (P value for linear trend = 0.001)
CONCLUSION
In young adult men, MS is associated with increased intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. In these population, screening and early intervention of MS is important.