Sonographic Association of Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness With Age, Obesity, and Hypertension

Abstract

Objective: The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) can indicate cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk, which could aid in early disease identification and prevention. This study was designed to correlate carotid artery IMT with age, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension using sonography. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study included 300 individuals of all ages selected through convenient sampling at a university clinic in Lahore from November 2022 to February 2023. An Xario XG ultrasound equipment system (Toshiba, Tokyo, Japan) and a 7.5- to 10-MHz linear transducer was used to examine the patients. Results: The CCA-IMT was evaluated in 300 individuals (mean age 36.83 years). Significant statistical differences were observed between hypertensive/non-hypertensive and diabetic/non-diabetic individuals ( P < .05). CCA-IMT was positively correlated with age and higher in obese/overweight individuals. Conclusion: This large cohort study found a significant difference in CCA-IMT between hypertensive/diabetic and normal individuals. CCA-IMT was positively correlated with age and body mass index.