Relationship between metabolic syndrome and carotid atherosclerosis

Objective To evaluate relationship and singnificance between metabolic syndrome (MS) and carotid atherosclerosis. Methods One hundred subjects were investigated,including 54 MS patients and 46 normal subjects.Body mass index,waist circumference,plasma lipid and fast glucose of all subjects were examined.Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was detected and plaque was scored with color Doppler ultrasound. Results The MS patients had significant higher carotid IMT,diameter,plaque index and plaque occurrence rate than those in normal ones. Conclusions The degree of carotid atherosclerosis in MS is much more severe than that in normal patients.The metabolic syndrome may promote the occurrence and the progress of atherosclerosis.Carotid ultrasonograohy may help diagnose coronary artery disease much earlier.