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. 2019 May;4(1):27-34.
doi: 10.1159/000499199. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Utility of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as an Auxiliary Vascular Parameter of Structural Alteration in Ulcerative Colitis

Harit Goverdhan Kothari  1 , Sudhir Jagdishprasad Gupta  1 , Nitin Rangrao Gaikwad  1
Affiliations

Utility of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as an Auxiliary Vascular Parameter of Structural Alteration in Ulcerative Colitis

Harit Goverdhan Kothari et al. Inflamm Intest Dis. 2019 May.

Abstract

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic relapsing-remitting inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The chronic inflammatory process may predispose to atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to assess the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and its relation to subclinical atherosclerosis and to follow up cardiovascular complications in patients with UC.

Methods: 83 patients with proven UC in remission were enrolled in the study. 42 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were taken. Patients with known risk factors for atherosclerosis were excluded from the study. Baseline blood investigations along with C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and fasting lipid profile were done. CIMT was measured using B-mode Doppler imaging study.

Results: The mean age of the UC patients was 37.06 ± 14.87 years. Left-sided colitis (45.8%) was the commonest type of presentation according to the extent of the disease. Mean CIMT (0.55 ± 0.17) was significantly higher in UC patients when compared to mean CIMT (0.46 ± 0.13) in the control group (p = 0.002). In Pearson correlation analysis, age, ESR, and CRP were positive and significantly correlated with CIMT. Multiple linear regression analysis (R2 = 0.18, p = 0.0026) revealed that age and CRP were significant independent predictors of mean CIMT. On following up for 6 months, 4 patients with UC had complications in the form of venous thrombosis.

Conclusion: CIMT is a simple, noninvasive, reliable and objective auxiliary vascular parameter of structural alteration in UC patients.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular complications; Carotid intima-media thickness; Endothelial dysfunction; Ulcerative colitis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ultrasonographic view of the common carotid artery (CCA). CIMT measurements done in the far wall of the CCA.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Comparison of mean CIMT in UC patients and controls.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Positive correlation between mean CIMT and CRP.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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