CORRELATION OF GLYCATED HAEMOGLOBIN (HbA1C) AND LIPID PROFILE WITH CAROTID INTIMAL THICKNESS IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE : A CROSSECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: Of the various non invasive imaging methods available, carotid artery intima media thickness(CIMT) measurement by B mode ultrasound is recommended by American heart association. Measurement of the carotid intima media thickness by B mode ultrasound is relatively safe, non invasive and inexpensive method of assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis and being and independent predictor of atherosclerosis events. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 patients in the department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar. The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee and the patients were enrolled in the study after obtaining written informed consent. The patients underwent basic history taking, clinical examination and relevant blood investigations including HbA1C and lipid profile were done. Patients were subjected to Carotid artery Doppler to measure carotid artery intima media thickness. Results: A multivariate analysis was performed to assess the various factors influencing the increase in the thickness of CIMT and among that we found a significant correlation occurred with factors like Age,FBS, HbA1c, total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum HDL, serum LDL, serum VLDL. All these parameters showed a positive correlation with CIMT which was statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion: The carotid intima media thickness is significantly increased in people with dyslipidemia. Lipid profile is associated with cerebral ischemia by increasing carotid intima media thickness. Chronic hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia both independently and cumulatively influence the Carotid intima media thickness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]