Objective To investigate the detection rate and influencing factors of carotid plaque and plaque burden in a population with the age ≥ 40 years and high stroke risk in Nanjing city, thereby providing evidence for stroke prevention and control.

Methods As a part of the China National Stroke Screen Survey, the data were collected at 12 screening sites, which were selected from 4 districts (Pukou, Gaochun, Jiangning, and Liuhe) in Nanjing by Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Nanjing Brain Hospital from 2017 to 2020. A total of 5 636 residents aged 40 and above who were at high-risk for stroke and underwent ultrasound examination of carotid arteries were included in this study. The detection rates of carotid plaque and plaque burden were analyzed. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression was employed to analyze the influencing factors of carotid plaque and plaque burden.

Results Among the 5 636 residents included, 1 801 (32.0%) and 966 (17.1%) were detected with carotid plaque and plaque burden, respectively. The results of multivariate unconditional logistic regression showed that age ≥ 50 years, educational background of college degree or above, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes increased the risk of carotid plaque, while living in rural areas, drinking alcohol, sufficient fruit intake, and obesity reduced the risk of carotid plaque. Moreover, age ≥ 50 years, hypertension and diabetes increased the risk of carotid plaque burden, while female, living in rural areas, drinking alcohol, sufficient fruit intake, and obesity reduced the risk of carotid plaque burden.

Conclusions Although the detection rates of carotid plaque and plaque burden in population aged 40 and above and with high stroke risk in Nanjing were lower than that in other cities, the burden was still heavy. Age, residence, alcohol intake, fruit intake, hypertension, diabetes, and body mass index were the common influencing factors for carotid plaque and plaque burden in this population.