Difference in bilateral carotid IMT and its relative risk factors

Objective To study the difference in bilateral carotid IMT and its relative risk factors.Methods A total of 1818permanent residents in 4districts of Luliang City,Shanxi Province,were investigated with questionnaire,physical examination and by color Doppler ultrasonography.The subjects were divided into 55-59years old group(n=508),60-64years old group(n= 476),65-69years old group(n=370),70-74years old group(n=238)and≥75years old group(n=226).Factors influencing their bilateral carotid IMT were analyzed by multivariate linear regression analysis.Results The bilateral carotid IMT increased with age.The left carotid IMT was significantly thicker than the right carotid IMT in all groups except in 65-69years old group.Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the influence of age,smoking index,blood pressure,instant blood glucose and total cholesterol was more significant on the left carotid IMT than on the right carotid IMT.The influence of gender was more significant on the right carotid IMT than on the left carotid IMT.Conclusion The left carotid IMT is thicker than the right carotid IMT in subjects with their age55years.The influence of age,gender,smoking index,blood pressure,instant blood glucose and total cholesterol is different on their bilateral carotid IMT.