scholarly journals Sun exposure and intima-media thickness in the Mexican Teachers' Cohort

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Aguilar ◽  
Paloma Muñoz-Aguirre ◽  
Adrian Cortés-Valencia ◽  
Mario H. Flores-Torres ◽  
Andrés Catzin-Kuhlmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous studies have evaluated how sun exposure affects cardiovascular health. In this sense, some evidence from ecological studies have found an inverse relationship between sun exposure and blood pressure or CVD. The aim of this study is to determine whether long-term sun exposure has a protective role in subclinical cardiovascular disease in adult Mexican women. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a sample of women from the Mexican Teachers’ Cohort (MTC) study. Sun exposure was assessed in the MTC 2008 baseline questionnaire, in which women were asked about their sun-related behavior. Vascular neurologists measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) using standard techniques. Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the percentage difference in mean IMT and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), according to categories of sun exposure and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs for carotid atherosclerosis. Results The mean age of participants was 49.6 ± 5.5 years, the mean IMT was 0.678 ± 0.097 mm, and the mean accumulated hours of weekly sun exposure were 2.9 ± 1.9. Prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was 20.9%. Compared to women in the lowest category of sun exposure, the multivariate adjusted ORs of carotid atherosclerosis were 0.54 (95%CI: 0.24, 1.18) for women who were exposed 9 hours. For women who denied regular sun screen use, those in the higher exposure category (9 hours) had lower mean IMT compared to those in the lower category (multivariable-adjusted mean % difference = -2.67; 95%CI: -6.9, -1.5). Conclusion In general, we observed that cumulative sun exposure was inversely associated with IMT and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Our findings suggest that public health messages should also consider the sun’s positive role for health, while still emphasizing the negative impacts of excessive exposure.

Author(s):  
Annalise E Zemlin ◽  
Tandi E Matsha ◽  
Andre P Kengne ◽  
Gloudina M Hon ◽  
Rajiv T Erasmus

Background E-selectin, an adhesion molecule, is a specific marker of endothelial dysfunction. High concentrations have been reported in type 2 diabetes and disorders with high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of early atherosclerosis. We examined the relationship between E-selectin concentrations, CIMT and cardio-metabolic traits in normo- and hyperglycaemic mixed ancestry South Africans. Methods E-selectin concentrations were determined in 308 subjects from the Cape Town Bellville South Community–based study on a mixed ancestry population. Their correlation with CIMT and cardio-metabolic profile used robust correlations and linear regression models. Results E-selectin concentrations were significantly higher in the hyperglycaemic (median 139.8 µg/L) compared to the normoglycaemic group (median 118.8 µg/L), ( p = 0.0007). Significant differences between the two groups were found for markers of glycaemia and adiposity, but not for CIMT. Significant correlations were found between E-selectin and age, markers of glycaemia and inflammation, central obesity and lipid variables. Associations remained significant only with age, hyperglycaemia and C-reactive protein in robust linear regression models. In similar regressions models, age and gender were the main predictors of CIMT, which was not associated with E-selectin. Conclusions E-selectin concentrations in this study were associated with hyperglycaemia, possibly reflecting early endothelial damage. However, E-selectin was not useful to assess CIMT, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, which appeared to be determined by ageing and male gender.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 628
Author(s):  
K. M. Prabhuswamy ◽  
M. Virgin Joena

Background: IMT assessment as a non-invasive imaging test is quite widely used especially among RA patients, the clinical applications of using such knowledge is scarce, hence study was conducted to compare the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with healthy controls also to study the correlation between duration of rheumatoid arthritis, the activity of rheumatoid arthritis and other factors influencing (CIMT).Methods: In analytical cross-sectional study, of 80 participants of RA and 40 healthy controls, “DAS28” was used to assess disease activity.  Carotid intima-media thickness assessed using carotid ultrasonography.Results: Mean age of the cases and controls was 43.9 and 44.38 years. Subjects with duration of disease <2 years, to 5 years and >5 years were 35%, 45% and 20%. The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 5.61mm in controls, and CIMT was 6.11mm in people below 2 years and 7.08 mm in people between 2 to 5 years and 8.00mm in people above 5 years which was statistically significant. The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 5.61mm controls and 6.86mm in people with low, 7.00mm in people with moderate and 6.95mm in people with high disease activity, which was statistically significant.Conclusions: Study findings revealed risk of increase in carotid intima-media thickness higher among RA patients in the later stages and can increase the patients’ susceptibility to cardiovascular events. The factors showing strong association with intimal medial thickness were the age and symptoms duration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 55-55
Author(s):  
Aleda Leis ◽  
Emma Barinas-Mitchell ◽  
Ana Baylin ◽  
Samar El Khoudary ◽  
Elizabeth Jackson ◽  
...  

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are risk factors for atherosclerosis but their combined impact is unknown. The aim of this study was to quantify the added risk of obesity on carotid artery intima media thickness (cIMT), an early indicator for atherosclerosis, beyond MetS alone. The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) is a multi-center, multi-ethnic cohort of women traversing the midlife into early late adulthood. cIMT was assessed between 2005-2007 and MetS, obesity and covariates were measured at the same time. This cross-sectional analysis is restricted to 1,433 women with a body mass index ≥18.5 kg/m2 and free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) when cIMT was measured. Mean maximum cIMT was related to obesity, MetS and their interaction using multivariable linear regression models. The average age was 60 years (standard deviation 2.7) and the prevalence of obesity and MetS were 44% and 35%, respectively. Both conditions occurred in 24% of women. After adjustment for age, race, smoking, family history of heart disease, and antilipemic medications, obese women had a 0.051mm (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.033,0.070; p&lt;0.001) larger maximum cIMT versus women not obese and women with MetS had a 0.066mm (95%CI: 0.042,0.090; p&lt;0.001) larger maximum cIMT versus women without MetS. There was a statistically significant antagonistic interaction between obesity and MetS; women with both had a mean cIMT of 0.972mm (95%CI: 0.955,0.989) and MetS alone a cIMT of 0.961mm (95%CI:0.938,0.983). This suggests that there is only a small risk of obesity on augmenting cIMT beyond MetS alone.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin-ya Nagasawa ◽  
Katsuyuki Miura ◽  
Akira Fujiyoshi ◽  
Aya Kadota ◽  
Takayoshi Ohkubo ◽  
...  

Objective: Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, is known as a mediator of endothelial cell dysfunction. Some clinical studies have found evidence that increased plasma ADMA levels are associated with a higher risk of cerebrovascular events. However, studies on the relationship of plasma ADMA to subclinical atherosclerosis have been scarce. We evaluated the association of ADMA with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in population-based samples in Japan. Methods: Population-based Japanese samples composed of 313 men aged 40-49 (40s men) from the ERA-JUMP and 732 men aged 60-79 (60s+70s men) from the SESSA were examined with physical examinations, life-style questionnaires, laboratory assessment and IMT using standardized methods. Plasma samples were stored at -80°C, and concentration of ADMA was determined using a validated high-throughput liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric assay. The IMTs of the right and left common carotid arteries, the carotid bulbs, and the internal carotid arteries were examined. Statistical associations were evaluated using multiple linear regression models with adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, smoking, alcohol intake, medications for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) . Results: The average concentrations and standard deviation (SD) of plasma ADMA in men aged 40-49 and 60-79 were 0.39 ± 0.06 and 0.43 ± 0.06 μmol/L, respectively. The mean and SD of IMT in men aged 40-49 and 60-79 were 0.61 ± 0.07 and 0.91 ± 0.20 mm, respectively. Higher level of ADMA was significantly and positively associated with proportion of current smoking both in 40s and 60s+70s men (correlation coefficient: both p <0.001). It was also significantly and positively associated with eGFR in 60s+70s men (p <0.001) but not associated with eGFR in 40s men (p = 0.429). In full adjusted linear regression models, 1 SD increase in ADMA was associated with 0.14mm increase in IMT in 40s men (p=0.01) but only 0.04mm increase in IMT in 60s+70s men (p=0.26). Conclusions: Higher level of ADMA was associated with more IMT independently of traditional risk factors and renal function in young adult men, but not in elderly men.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S Liu ◽  
Sophie Dunn ◽  
Anneke C Grobler ◽  
Katherine Lange ◽  
Denise Becker ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo describe a well-established marker of cardiovascular risk, carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) and related measures (artery distensibility and elasticity) in children aged 11–12 years old and mid-life adults, and examine associations within parent–child dyads.DesignCross-sectional study (Child Health CheckPoint), nested within a prospective cohort study, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC).SettingAssessment centres in seven Australian major cities and eight selected regional towns, February 2015 to March 2016.ParticipantsOf all participating CheckPoint families (n=1874), 1489 children (50.0% girls) and 1476 parents (86.8% mothers) with carotid IMT data were included. Survey weights and methods were applied to account for LSAC’s complex sample design and clustering within postcodes and strata.Outcome measuresUltrasound of the right carotid artery was performed using standardised protocols. Primary outcomes were mean and maximum far-wall carotid IMT, quantified using semiautomated edge detection software. Secondary outcomes were carotid artery distensibility and elasticity. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess parent–child concordance. Random effects modelling on a subset of ultrasounds (with repeated measurements) was used to assess reliability of the child carotid IMT measure.ResultsThe average mean and maximum child carotid IMT were 0.50 mm (SD 0.06) and 0.58 mm (SD 0.05), respectively. In adults, average mean and maximum carotid IMT were 0.57 mm (SD 0.07) and 0.66 mm (SD 0.10), respectively. Mother–child correlations for mean and maximum carotid IMT were 0.12 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.23) and 0.10 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.21), respectively. For carotid artery distensibility and elasticity, mother–child correlations were 0.19 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.25) and 0.11 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.18), respectively. There was no strong evidence of father–child correlation in any measure.ConclusionsWe provide Australian values for carotid vascular measures and report a modest mother–child concordance. Both genetic and environmental exposures are likely to contribute to carotid IMT.


2012 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti Jain ◽  
Tejal Lathia ◽  
O.m. Prakash Gupta ◽  
Vishakha Jain

ABSTRACT Context: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and apolipoproteins have been found as a risk factor for ischemic stroke . Objective: The objective was to study the carotid intima-media thickness, apolipoproteins, and their relation in patients of ischemic stroke in central rural India. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was performed in a rural hospital in central India. Materials and Methods: In all patients of ischemic stroke proven by computerized tomography (CT), CIMT, apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), and apolipoprotein B(ApoB) were measured. Statistical Analysis Used: We used Student′s t-test to compare means, a chi-square test to compare proportions, and a Mann-Whitney test to compare medians. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of our study population (N = 106) was 61 years. The mean CIMT was 0.83 mm ranging from a minimum of 0.45 mm to a maximum of 1.096 mm. Mean CIMT was significantly higher than expected 0.67 values, which was calculated according to the age of the study population. The association of decreased ApoA-I < 100 mg/dl and increased ApoB > 90 mg/dl with CIMT > 0.7 mm was statistically significant with P<0.001. Conclusions: The CIMT in computerized tomography-proven ischemic stroke was significantly higher than expected for the age of the study population. The relation of decreased ApoA-I and increased ApoB with CIMT > 0.7 mm was also statistically significant.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Farhana Rahman ◽  
Fatema Sultana Haque ◽  
Shankar Kumar Biswas ◽  
Rubina Begum ◽  
Sadia Hossain ◽  
...  

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis may be associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in multiple ways. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CIMT) is an important parameter for early atherosclerotic change. Previously several studies addressed the association between SCH and CIMT. Some studies indicate that SCH might be related to increase CIMT, while other studies revealed no significant association.   The aim of the study was to further examine the relationship between CIMT and SCH patients in our own laboratory setting in Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Patients and Methods: </strong>This cross sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), Dhaka Medical College Hospital Campus, Dhaka during the period of January 2016 to October 2016. The study included 56 consecutive patients. Out of 56 patients, 26 were in SCH group and 30 were in euthyroid control group. CIMT was measured in each subject via High resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Data were analyzed between these two groups in respect to age, sex, BMI, and mean CIMT.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 56 subjects, 26 were SCH group and 30 were euthyroid control group. Male to female ratio was 3:23 and 9:21 in SCH and control groups respectively. The mean age was 30±7.4 and 32±8.7 years in SCH and control groups respectively. The mean BMI was 25.6±4.7 kg/m<sup>2</sup> in SCH and 25.1±4.1 kg/m<sup>2</sup> in control group. The mean CIMT was significantly (p≤0.05) higher in SCH group (Right-0.80±0.05 mm, Left-0.80±0.07 mm) than control group (Right-0.60±0.05 mm, Left- 0.61±0.05 mm). SCH group was further subdivided into two groups with a cut off value of serum TSH at 10 mIU/L.  The mean CIMT was significantly higher in SCH with TSH above 10 mIU/L than SCH group with TSH less than 10 mIU/L (p≤0.05). Pearson’s rank correlation test showed significant positive correlation between both CIMT and TSH values.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study showed that CIMT was significantly higher in SCH group than euthyroid control group. The CIMT values were positively correlated with the TSH values. Therefore we may conclude that SCH is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis  in addition to other  classical risk factors.</p><p>Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 19(2): 123-127, July 2016</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1503
Author(s):  
Abhishek T. G. ◽  
Arathi Darshan ◽  
Jayaprakash S. Appajigol ◽  
Naveen Angadi ◽  
Vijayalakshmi Chikkamath

Background: Metabolic syndrome and its individual criteria pose a risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is a well-known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. This study was aimed to assess CIMT in patients with metabolic syndrome.Methods: This one year cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belagavi from January 2016 to December 2016. A total of 100 patients diagnosed to have metabolic syndrome based on national cholesterol education program adult treatment panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria were studied. All the patients were subjected to carotid B mode ultrasonography.Results: The most common age group was 51 to 60years (29%). Out of 100 individuals who were diagnosed to have metabolic syndrome, 60% had five criteria, 29% had four criteria and 3% had three criteria. Most of the of the individuals (61.00%) had normal (≤0.10cms) CIMT while high (>0.10cm) levels were noted in 39.00% of the individuals. The mean CIMT was noted as 0.13±0.16cms. The mean SBP (150.15±10.39 vs 142.98±20.09mmHg; p=0.042), DBP (94.51±6.53 vs 90.16±9.91 mmHg; p=0.017), total cholesterol levels (243.53±65.74 vs 195.95±29.8 mg/dL; p<0.001) and triglyceride levels (221.07±48.44 vs 180.85±24.74mg/dL; p <0.001) were noted in individuals with raised CIMT compared to individuals with normal CIMT. Majority of the individuals had abnormal HDL (93.00%) and 41.94% of the individuals with abnormal HDL had raised CIMT (p=0.027).Conclusions: Some individuals with metabolic syndrome are likely to have raised CIMT. The rise in CIMT among the patients with metabolic syndrome is associated with raised SBP, DBP, abnormal HDL (specifically in males), total cholesterol and triglycerides.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Hallengren ◽  
Peter Almgren ◽  
Maria Rosvall ◽  
Gerd Östling ◽  
Margaretha Persson ◽  
...  

Introduction: Growth hormone (GH) has been linked to cardiovascular disease and lipid metabolism but the exact mechanisms of this association are still unclear. Objectives: We here test if GH is cross-sectionally associated to carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and whether treatment with fluvastatin have any effects on the fasting level of GH in a randomized controlled trial of carotid IMT progression. Methods: We examined the association between GH and IMT in 4425 individuals (aged 46-68 years) included in the baseline examination (1991-1994) of the Malmö Diet and Cancer cardiovascular cohort (MDC-CC). From that cohort we then studied 472 individuals (aged 50-70 years) who also participated (1994-1999) in the β-Blocker Cholesterol-Lowering Asymptomatic Plaque Study (BCAPS), a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, single-center clinical trial. Using multivariate linear regression models we related the change in GH-levels at 12 months compared to baseline to treatment with fluvastatin. Results: In MDC-CC fasting values of GH exhibited a positive cross-sectional relation to the IMT at the carotid bifurcation after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (p=0.002). In a gender-stratified analysis the association were positive and significant for males (p=0.005), but not for females (p=0.09). In males in BCAPS treated with fluvastatin there tended to be a greater reduction of GH after 12 months when compared to subjects not receiving fluvastatin (p=0.05) (Table). Fasting levels of GH did not interact with the different treatment regimes’ effect on the IMT. Conclusions: We here demonstrate that higher fasting levels of GH are associated to thicker IMT in the carotid bulb and that statin treatment may reduce fasting levels of GH in males. Our results are in line with previous results with GH being associated to cardiovascular disease. The effects of statin treatment on GH are small and need to be confirmed in a larger trial.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunyun Liu ◽  
Xuena Wang ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Ge Meng ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
...  

Background: The relationship between dietary patterns and atherosclerosis is inconclusive. Usually, diets vary greatly among different regions due to cultural differences and lifestyles. Few studies to date based on a Chinese population have investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and the formation of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries. We aimed to investigate whether dietary patterns were related to carotid atherosclerosis among an adult population in Tianjin, China.Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 2,346 participants aged 50 years or older (mean: 59.7 ± 6.29 years). Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated 81-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, and factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Carotid atherosclerosis was defined as a common carotid artery intima-media thickness ≥1.0 mm or plaques, or a carotid bifurcation intima-media thickness ≥1.2 mm. Multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and carotid atherosclerosis.Results: Three factors were determined: “health” dietary pattern (factor 1), “traditional Tianjin” dietary pattern (factor 2), and “sweets” dietary pattern (factor 3). The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of carotid atherosclerosis for the increasing quartiles of the sweets dietary pattern scores in women were as follows: 1.00 (reference), 1.33 (0.91, 1.97), 1.21 (0.82, 1.79), 1.64 (1.08, 2.51) (p for trend &lt;0.05). No significant difference was found between any dietary pattern and carotid atherosclerosis in men.Conclusion: Greater adherence to “sweets” dietary patterns was positively related to a higher prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in women aged 50 or older. No relationship was found between any dietary pattern and carotid atherosclerosis in men. Further prospective studies are warranted to test this finding in other populations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document