Distribution of carotid artery intima-media thickness among ischaemic stroke patients and its association with common risk factors - a cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aims to describe the distribution of CIMT among ischaemic stroke patients and determine its association with common risk factors.
Methods: The study was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 204 ischaemic stroke patients were followed up at Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, from July to December 2023. CIMT measurements of both carotid arteries were obtained using B-mode ultrasound. Risk factor data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. CIMT values above 0.80 mm were classified as abnormal. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 21.0, with a significant level of 0.05.
Results: The sample's mean age was 60.74 years (SD = 12.51). Mean CIMT for the right carotid artery was 0.87 mm (SD = 0.64), and for the left, 0.88 mm (SD = 0.50), with no significant difference between the two sides (P > 0.05). Among patients, 58.0% and 52.1% had abnormal right and left CIMT, respectively. Significant differences in CIMT were found between males and females (P < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between CIMT and hypertension or diabetes mellitus (P > 0.05). Risk of abnormal CIMT was higher in dyslipidaemic patients (OR 3.46;95% CI: 1.89–6.34, P < 0.0001). A one-way ANOVA test revealed a significant difference in CIMT between smokers and ex-smokers with non-smokers (P = 0.03). Hierarchical logistic regression indicated that all combined factors accounted for 39.4% of the variability in abnormal CIMT, although none emerged as significant independent risk factors.
Conclusions: Abnormal CIMT was significantly associated with dyslipidemia and smoking among ischaemic stroke patients. However, further studies with comparative groups are needed to fully determine the association between CIMT and ischemic stroke risk.