APOE polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in Korean population: the Dong-gu Study and the Namwon Study.

•The APOE polymorphism is associated with carotid atherosclerosis.•E2E2 and E2E3 genotypes had lower carotid IMT compared with E3E3 genotype.•E2E3 genotype had a lower risk of carotid plaque compared with E3E3 genotype.•E3E4 genotype had a higher risk of carotid plaque compared with E3E3 genotype.•These associations were partly mediated through blood lipids.