Association between carotid intima-media thickness and novel lipid parameters in hypertensive patients

Abstract Background Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Similarly, dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors for atherosclerosis with novel lipid parameters recently emerging. The aim of our study was to assess the association between IMT and novel lipid parameters in hypertensive patients. Methods We analyzed the IMT of 821 hypertensive patients followed by the Hypertension Unit of our hospital, Classic (total, HDL, LDL and non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) and novel (non-HDL/HDL, LDL/HDL, total cholesterol/HDL, Log triglycerides/HDL and triglycerides-glucose index) lipid parameters were measured and calculated. Results Univariable analyses found a significant correlation between IMT and almost all lipid parameters. Linear multivariable analysis (IMT as the continuous dependent variable) showed a significant association with total cholesterol (β=0.104, p=0.001), LDL cholesterol (β=0.109, p=0.001), non-HDL cholesterol (β=0.121, p 0.001), non-HDL/HDL (β=0.128, p 0.001), LDL/HDL (β=0.127, p 0.001) and total cholesterol/HDL (β=0.128, p 0.001). Logistic multivariable analysis with IMT as the categorical (≥ or 0.9 mm) dependent variable demonstrated a significant association with total cholesterol (OR=1.110 per 10 mg/dL increase, p=0.002), LDL cholesterol (OR=1.130 per 10 mg/dL increase, p=0.001), non-HDL cholesterol (OR=1.120 per each unit increase, p=0.001), non-HDL/HDL (OR=1.411 per each unit increase, p=0.002), LDL/HDL (OR=1.623 per each unit increase, p=0.001) and total cholesterol/HDL (OR=1.411 per each unit increase, p=0.002). Conclusion Carotid IMT has significant association with different lipid parameters being the most strongly associated one non-HDL/HDL, LDL/HDL and total cholesterol/HDL.