[Association between both triglyceride level, newly identified carotid plaque and middle-aged and elderly population,...

To evaluate the association between triglyceride (TG) level and newly identified 5-year carotid plaque and to explore the prediction value of TG level on the newly-identified carotid plaque with risk factors of traditional atherosclerosis.

A cohort study was adopted. The baseline survey including CVD risk factors and B-mode ultrasound of carotid artery was performed in 2002, and the second follow-up examination was performed in 2007. We evaluated 1949 participants with lipid measurements and B-mode ultrasound of carotid arteries in the two surveys (with mean age as 57.9±8.1 years and 39.2% were men). The baseline TG levels were divided into four groups: group 1 (TG<1.13 mmol/L), group 2 (TG=1.13-1.69 mmol/L), group 3 (TG=1.70-2.25 mmol/L) and group 4 (TG≥2.26 mmol/L). Newly identified carotid plaque was regarded as the indicator of progression of carotid atherosclerosis. New relationship between fasting TG levels and newly identified carotid plaque was analysed.

Compared to newly identified carotid plaque which including different TG level groups, the incidence of newly artery plaque had significantly increased along with the increase of baseline triglyceride level (30.8%, 38.8%, 41.9% and 44.2% respectively, with χ2=21.22, P<0.01). Compared to individuals (TG<1.13 mmol/L), TG seemed a risk factor of plaque progression (P<0.01). After adjusted for age, sex, dyslipidemia and other risk factors, high TG group (TG≥2.26 mmol/L) appeared a significant independent predictor of newly identified carotid plaque (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.00-1.86). When further stratifying the traditional atherosclerosis risk factors, we found that high TG group with smoking or hypertension was an independent factor of atherosclerosis progression.

With the increase of triglyceride levels, the rate of newly identified carotid plaque also increased. After adjusting age, sex, dyslipidemia and other risk factors, serum fasting TG≥2.26 mmol/L appeared to be an independent predictor of newly developed carotid plaque.