Study of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Saudi Smokers Using Ultrasound

Abstract

Background: Smoking has been found to be associated with carotid atherosclerotic disease. Since it is an important public health problem, The objective of this study was to explore the powerful of this association, the researcher investigated smoking as an important suspected risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: In observational cross-sectional study, 121 participants were investigated by B- mode and Doppler ultrasound, 92 smokers and 29 were control group. The mean age was 40.8 ± 21.5 (range from 19 to 100 years old). Carotid arteries for all participants were examined by using 7MHrz linear transducer according to the carotid ultrasound protocol. Results: The frequency of carotid plaques was 22.8% (of 92). The high frequency registered in group that smoke > 20 cigarettes per day. Plaques were registered in age of 54 years old. There was strong association between duration of smoking and the presence and increases of plaque size, P = .000. The mean thickness of IMT in smokers was 0.88 ± 0.4 mm. While it was 0.5 mm in control group. There was strong statistical association between the frequency of smoking & plaque and the increase in IMT, P = .000. The duration & frequency of smoking increase the percentage of carotid stenosis by 0.34% and 0.31% per year respectively.