ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD LIPID AND GLUCOSE LEVELS WITH CAROTID INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS

Objective: To measure the differences in CIMT across groups based upon normal and higher levels of fasting glucose and lipids.Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out between January to June 2011 at department of radiology and pathology, PNS Rahat hospital Karachi. From a target population of patients presenting for fasting blood glucose measurement, a total 0f 201 subjects were shortlisted and consented after various exclusion. These patients were sampled for glucose and lipids after brief clinical evaluation. Later subjects underwent CIMT measurement in radiology department.Results: Age showed moderate positive correlation with CIMT readings (r=0.493, p=0.000), while BMI (r=0.038, p=0.636), fasting blood glucose (r=0.038, p=0.646), triglyceride (r=0.179, p=0.029), and total cholesterol (r=0.221, p=0.007) showed lesser correlations. Patients with hyperglycemia had higher CIMT [{Group-1, Normolycemia, FBG 5.5mmol/L = 0.667+0.137cm} {Group-2, Hyperglycemia, FBG 5.5mmol/L = 0.7180+0.147cm}(p=0.028)]. Mean CIMT values among subjects with hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were higher than patients with normal triglycerides and cholesterol [(triglyceride: p=0.040) (total cholesterol: p=0.055)].Conclusion: The carotid intima medial layers were found to be thicker in subjects having higher blood levels of fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol.