PURPOSE: Whether carotid abnormalities (CAs) are congenital or acquired, and whether they are risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases or medical curiosities, is still under debate. The aim of this study was to identify the independent risk factors for CAs. METHODS: In this study, subjects (aged 3 days to 102 years) were divided into nine age groups, divided by 10-year intervals. The observed CAs were prospectively classified, according to the nature of the abnormality. Analyses of the factors associated with CAs were performed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESUITS: Of the 1,838 internal carotid arteries studied, 552 had CA (30%). There were peaks in the prevalence of CA in the 0-9-year-old group and in the above 80 years group; the lowest rate was found among the subjects in the 20-39-year-old group. The significant predictors of CA were age (OR 1.986, in the60-69-year-old group; OR 2.283, in the 70-79-year-old group; and OR 3.566, in the > 80-year-old group vs the 40-49-year-old group reference group), female gender (OR 1.799), hypertension (OR 1.52), and carotid artery atherosclerosis (OR3.176). CAs in youngersubjects were also associated with age (OR 9.894 in the 0-9-year-old group; and OR 3.294 in the 10-19-year-old group vs the 30-39-year-old group reference group). CONCLUSIONS: Both congenital and acquired factors may be involved in CAs. In subjects> or = 40years old, CAs seem to be more associated with acquired factors, including ageing, gender, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
PURPOSE: Whether carotid abnormalities (CAs) are congenital or acquired, and whether they are risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases or medical curiosities, is still under debate. The aim of this study was to identify the independent risk factors for CAs. METHODS: In this study, subjects (aged 3 days to 102 years) were divided into nine age groups, divided by 10-year intervals. The observed CAs were prospectively classified, according to the nature of the abnormality. Analyses of the factors associated with CAs were performed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESUITS: Of the 1,838 internal carotid arteries studied, 552 had CA (30%). There were peaks in the prevalence of CA in the 0-9-year-old group and in the above 80 years group; the lowest rate was found among the subjects in the 20-39-year-old group. The significant predictors of CA were age (OR 1.986, in the60-69-year-old group; OR 2.283, in the 70-79-year-old group; and OR 3.566, in the > 80-year-old group vs the 40-49-year-old group reference group), female gender (OR 1.799), hypertension (OR 1.52), and carotid artery atherosclerosis (OR3.176). CAs in youngersubjects were also associated with age (OR 9.894 in the 0-9-year-old group; and OR 3.294 in the 10-19-year-old group vs the 30-39-year-old group reference group). CONCLUSIONS: Both congenital and acquired factors may be involved in CAs. In subjects> or = 40years old, CAs seem to be more associated with acquired factors, including ageing, gender, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.