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Intima-Media Thickness of the Common Carotid Artery Is Not Significantly Higher in Crohn’s Disease Patients Compared to Healthy Population

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Abstract

Background

Patients with Crohn’s disease might have accelerated atherosclerosis due to: chronic systemic inflammation, metabolic changes or prolonged steroid treatment.

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of sub-clinical atherosclerosis in Crohn’s disease, by measuring the intima-media thickness and peak systolic velocity of the common carotid artery.

Methods

Fifty Crohn’s disease patients aged between 20 and 45 years were compared to 25 controls. Patients with a family history of cardiovascular diseases or a known risk for atherosclerosis were excluded. All participants underwent nutritional assessment. Carotid artery ultrasonography was performed and intima-media thickness and peak systolic velocity were measured, proximal to the common carotid bifurcation. Clinical data and laboratory parameters (hemoglobin, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, and plasma homocysteine) were determined.

Results

No significant differences between the groups were found for intima-media thickness or peak systolic velocity. Multiple regression analysis revealed a positive correlation of intima-media thickness with older age. Peak systolic velocity was negatively associated with age.

Conclusions

Crohn’s disease patients do not have an increased risk for developing early atherosclerosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Gastroenterology, Liver Diseases and Nutrition, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, 70300, Zerifin, Israel

    Efrat Broide, Andrei Schopan, Nimrod Alain Kimchi, Michael Shapiro & Eitan Scapa

  2. Vascular Laboratory, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, 70300, Zerifin, Israel

    Michael Zaretsky

  3. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Efrat Broide, Andrei Schopan, Michael Zaretsky, Nimrod Alain Kimchi, Michael Shapiro & Eitan Scapa

Authors
  1. Efrat Broide
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  2. Andrei Schopan
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  3. Michael Zaretsky
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  5. Michael Shapiro
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  6. Eitan Scapa
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Correspondence to Efrat Broide.

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Broide, E., Schopan, A., Zaretsky, M. et al. Intima-Media Thickness of the Common Carotid Artery Is Not Significantly Higher in Crohn’s Disease Patients Compared to Healthy Population. Dig Dis Sci 56, 197–202 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1235-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1235-0

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