INTRODUCTION: Increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries is considered as an early indicator of atherosclerosis. The authors here aimed to assess whether tinnitus is associated with such thickening by a cross-sectional approach. METHODS: A total of 820 male (53.5 ± 9.6 years) and 528 female (54.5 ± 9.7 years) Japanese undergoing a brain screening program including ultrasonographical evaluation of carotid arteries between April 2007 and April 2009 were included in the study. Increased intima-media thickness was defined as ≥ 1 mm. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, hypertension and smoking. RESULTS: Increased intima-media thickness was observed in 53.1% overall (in 57.6% of men and in 46.2% of women), with significant associations with tinnitus (odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.22), age, male gender and hypertension. The tinnitus link persisted after adjustment for the confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus is associated with increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries in Japanese undergoing a brain screening program.
INTRODUCTION: Increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries is considered as an early indicator of atherosclerosis. The authors here aimed to assess whether tinnitus is associated with such thickening by a cross-sectional approach. METHODS: A total of 820 male (53.5 ± 9.6 years) and 528 female (54.5 ± 9.7 years) Japanese undergoing a brain screening program including ultrasonographical evaluation of carotid arteries between April 2007 and April 2009 were included in the study. Increased intima-media thickness was defined as ≥ 1 mm. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, hypertension and smoking. RESULTS: Increased intima-media thickness was observed in 53.1% overall (in 57.6% of men and in 46.2% of women), with significant associations with tinnitus (odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.22), age, male gender and hypertension. The tinnitus link persisted after adjustment for the confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS:Tinnitus is associated with increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries in Japanese undergoing a brain screening program.
Authors: Saeid Mahmoudian; Mohammad Farhadi; Saeid Gholami; Fariba Saddadi; Ali Reza Karimian; Mohammad Mirzaei; Esmaeel Ghoreyshi; Majid Ahmadizadeh; Thomas Lenarz Journal: J Res Med Sci Date: 2012-03 Impact factor: 1.852