Year: 2026 | Month: July | Volume: 16 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 42-48
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260705
Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness and Its Correlation with Body Mass Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Asymptomatic Adults in Rural India: A Cross-Sectional Ultrasonographic Study
Yatika Pasricha1, Nirmal Kumar Mittal2, Bharti Verma3
13rd year PG Resident, 2Professor & Head,3Associate Professor,
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Amaltas Institute of Medical Sciences, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Corresponding Author: Yatika Pasricha
ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are increasingly prevalent in rural India, and early identification of subclinical atherosclerosis is important for preventive intervention. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measured by B-mode ultrasonography is a validated surrogate marker for cardiovascular risk assessment. The present study evaluated carotid intima-media thickness and carotid luminal diameter in asymptomatic rural Indian adults and determined their association with body mass index (BMI) and established cardiovascular risk factors.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 150 asymptomatic adults aged 20–80 years. Participants underwent demographic assessment, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure recording, and carotid ultrasonography using high-resolution B-mode imaging (7.5–12.0 MHz). Carotid intima-media thickness and luminal diameter were measured bilaterally at the common carotid artery (CCA), carotid bifurcation, and internal carotid artery (ICA). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0.
Results: The mean age of participants was 53.2 ± 16.6 years and the mean body mass index was 24.2 ± 4.6 kg/m². Significant positive associations were observed between carotid intima-media thickness and advancing age, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and alcohol consumption. A moderate-to-strong correlation was identified between age and whole carotid intima-media thickness (r = 0.612, p < 0.0001). Plaque prevalence increased with increasing cardiovascular risk burden.
Conclusion: Carotid ultrasonography is a reliable non-invasive modality for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis and may be useful for cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic rural Indian adults.
Key words: Carotid intima-media thickness, cardiovascular disease, ultrasonography, obesity, atherosclerosis, rural India