Inflammation And Severity Of Carotid Atherosclerosis In Metabolic Syndrome

Objective: A relationship between degree of carotid atherosclerosis and inflammation is poorly defined. Inflammatory markers and carotid intima-media thickness at various levels were studied in patients with Metabolic Syndrome to determine a correlation between the two. Design and Method: In a cross-sectional, prospective study, 50 patients of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) were studied after a written and informed consent. After recording the anthropometric measurements, carotid intima media thickness was measured at right common, bulb and internal carotid arteries using high resolution B-mode ultrasonography. After an overnight fasting of 12 hours, blood samples were drawn for estimation of glucose, lipid profile, creatinine, hsCRP (Diagnostic Biochem, Canada Inc,) and TNF-α (OptEIATM). Results: 50 patients (mean age 45+ 7 years, 90% hypertensive- mean duration 3 years, 75% on antihypertensive drugs, 28% on statins, mean SBP 143 mmHg and mean DBP 87 mmHg) were analyzed. Mean waist circumference was 103 cm, and mean BMI was 29.7 kg/m2. The mean hsCRP was 59.31 mg/L + 45.53 mg/L and mean TNF-α levels were 60.03 pg/ml +124 pg/ml. The average IMT was 0.061 cm + 0.123 cm. Average IMT had a positive correlation with the duration of hypertension (p  Conclusions: The present study has shown that there was a significant correlation between inflammation and severity of carotid atherosclerosis, in subjects with MS with well controlled hypertension. A significant inflammation occurs in patients with MS.