2021 Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 7-12
Background: To investigate factors associated with the maximal intima-media thickness (max-IMT) of the carotid artery, particularly plaques of an max-IMT of >1.5 mm, in a geographically coherent population in Japan. Methods: A total of 1,073 residents underwent carotid artery ultrasonography during the health screening conducted in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, from October 2015 to March 2019. The observable visual field of max-IMT was evaluated in 929 participants without stroke or coronary artery disease. The results of a self-administered questionnaire survey examining risk factors for vascular disease were assessed, and factors associated with a max-IMT of >1.5 mm were analyzed. Results: Overall, 15.1% of the participants had a max-IMT of >1.5 mm. There were more elderly male patients and hypertensive patients (47.9% vs. 30.8%) in the max-IMT >1.5-mm group than in the max-IMT ≤1.5-mm group. The prevalence of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus was higher in the max-IMT >1.5-mm group than in the max-IMT ≤1.5-mm group. Logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age and sex revealed that hypertension (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.26; p = 0.0284) was the sole predictor of a max-IMT of >1.5 mm. Conclusion: Among residents in a relatively high stroke-related mortality region, hypertension was associated with a max-IMT of >1.5 mm. For prevention of stroke, screening tests, including carotid artery ultrasonography, must be employed for arteriosclerosis in patients with hypertension.
