Objective To explore the prevalence and related risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis among middle aged and elder rural residents in Liaoning province, and to provide evidences for developing strategies on reducing cardiovascular disease burden.
Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken between September 2017 and May 2018; a face-to-face questionnaire survey, physical and laboratory examination were employed among 6830 permanent residents aged ≥ 40 years in rural areas of Chaoyang county and Lingyuan prefecture, Liaoning province.
Results Among 5 838 residents completing the survey,, the prevalence rate of carotid atherosclerosis was 42.1%, and the rate increased with age; the standardized prevalence rate was 33.1%. The standardized prevalence rate of carotid atherosclerosis in men and women was 40.0% and 29.2%, respectively, which was significantly higher in the men than in the women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender (odds ratio OR = 1.72, 95% confidence interval 95% CI: 1.42 – 2.06), current smoking (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.35 – 1.96), ever smoking (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05 – 1.71), lack of physical exercise (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.46) were major risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis.
Conclusions The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis is high among rural resident aged 40 years and above, especially in the males, and influenced by multiple factors. The results suggest that risk factors of atherosclerosis should be controlled effectively in the population to decrease cardiovascular disease burden.
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