Evaluation of epicardial adipose tissue and carotid intima-media thickness as a marker of atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Background and aim: this study aimed to compare carotid intima media (CIMT) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) measurements, which are considered as markers for the detection of early atherosclerosis in healthy controls and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cases.

Methods: a total of 60 IBD patients (25 Crohn's disease and 35 ulcerative colitis) and 60 healthy patients (as a control group) were included in the study. The measurements of CIMT and EAT were performed using echocardiography and ultrasonography, respectively. Statistical analysis was used to determine the relationship between the parameters.

Results: the thickness of bilateral (right and left) CIMT and EAT were significantly higher in IBD than in the control group (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between EAT and bilateral (right and left) CIMT in IBD patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: IBD is associated with an increased thickness of EAT and CIMT. Chronic inflammation in IBD may increase the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease. Thus, only measuring the thickness of EAT and CIMT can be used as an objective, easy, simple, affordable, non-invasive and accessible assessment method in order to screen for this risk.