Measurement of intima-media thickness of common carotid arteries using ultrasound in patients with familial and non-familial hypercholesterolaemia and correlation of intima-media thickness to obesity

Med J Malaysia. 2003 Dec;58(5):647-52.

Abstract

Ultrasonographic measurements of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries (CCA) were taken in 50 patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and 57 patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia (NFH). The lipid profile, body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) of each patient were recorded. In FH patients, the IMT was significantly higher in overweight and elevated WHR subgroups compared to the normal with significant correlations between BMI and WHR to the IMT. In NFH patients, the IMT was significantly higher in the elevated WHR compared to the normal subgroup but the correlations between either BMI or WHR to IMT were insignificant. These suggest that the environmentally modified anthropometric indices may have an effect on atherosclerosis in genetically determined hypercholesterolaemia in FH patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carotid Artery, Common / ultrastructure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / complications
  • Hypercholesterolemia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / complications
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / diagnostic imaging*
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Tunica Intima / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tunica Media / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography