AUTHOR=Yang Qiaoxia , Lin Qiuxing , Guo Dandan , Wang Hanhua , Liu Jie , Zhang Xin , Tu Jun , Ning Xianjia , Yang Qing , Wang Jinghua 

TITLE=Association of Carotid Intima Media Thickness With Metabolic Syndrome Among Low-Income Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.669245

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2021.669245

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=Background: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS), including its components, and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in a low-income, Chinese population aged ≥ 45 years.
Methods: Participants underwent a general health screening as well as to B-mode carotid ultrasonography, which measured CIMT. The diagnosis of MetS and its components was based on the modified International Diabetes Federation Criteria for the Asian Population. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between MetS and CIMT.
Results: A total of 3583 participants (mean age, 60 years) was included in the analyses (41.4% male, 58.6% female); more than 50% of the participants were diagnosed with MetS. In the multivariable linear regression analysis, the mean CIMT was 0.009 mm greater in participants with MetS than in those without MetS (β = 0.009; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.003–0.014; P < 0.05). Moreover, a high number of MetS components was associated with greater CIMT values; for example, CIMT increased by 0.007 mm and 0.015 mm for individuals diagnosed with 3–4 and 5 MetS components, respectively. Among MetS components, elevated blood pressure (β = 0.022; 95% CI, 0.015–0.029; P < 0.001) and abdominal obesity (β = 0.008; 95% CI, 0.001–0.015; P < 0.001) were positively correlated with CIMT. However, elevated triglyceride levels were negatively associated with CIMT (β = −0.008; 95% CI: −0.015 to −0.002; P < 0.001), especially among elderly population. 
Conclusions: The risk of carotid atherosclerosis increased in the presence of multiple MetS components in a low-income, middle-aged and elderly population. Accordingly, more detailed management strategies are essential for the early prevention and intervention of atherosclerosis in this low-income population with MetS, in China.