Sex Differences In Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Carotid Atherosclerosis

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis,and compare the sex differences in prevalence and risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis,so as to provide clues and evidence for risk assessment and prevention of carotid atherosclerosis in different gender groups.Methods A total 5525 people(3617 males and 1908 females,aged 22-92 years)underwent the health examination including physical examination,collection of medical history,blood test and carotid ultrasound examination at our Sanatorium from January to December 2018.The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups;a logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis.Result 1.There were significant differences between the carotid atherosclerosis group and the control group in 18 variables including age,sex,systolic blood pressure,lipoprotein(a),low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c/HDL-c),glycosylated hemoglobin and so on(all P<0.05).The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,sex,systolic blood pressure,lipoprotein(a),LDL-c/HDL-c ratio,smoking and drinking were independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis.2.The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis increased with age,and the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in male was higher than that in female(all P<0.05).3.There were significant differences between male and female in 17 variables including systolic blood pressure,lipoprotein(a),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c),LDL-c/HDL-c,smoking and so on(all P<0.05).The independent risk factors for male carotid atherosclerosis were age,systolic blood pressure,lipoprotein(a),HDL-c,glycosylated hemoglobin and smoking,while for female were age,systolic blood pressure and LDL-c/HDL-c.The predictive model based on risk factors can effectively predict carotid atherosclerosis in different gender groups.Conclusion The prevalence and risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis are different in male and female.Independent risk factors for male carotid atherosclerosis were age,systolic blood pressure,lipoprotein(a),HDL-c,glycosylated hemoglobin and smoking,while those for female were age,systolic blood pressure,lipoprotein(a)and LDL-c/HDL-c.The risk assessment and prevention of carotid atherosclerosis should be based on different sex.The predictive model based on risk factors can effectively predict carotid atherosclerosis in different gender groups.