Association between insulin resistance and carotid arteriosclerosis in subjects with normal fasting glucose and normal glucose tolerance.

Objective: We examined the possible association between insulin resistance and carotid arteriosclerosis in subjects who had both normal fasting glucose and normal glucose tolerance after intake of a glucose load.

Methods And Results: Our subjects were individuals who underwent general health screening at our institute, which included carotid ultrasound and oral glucose tolerance testing. Of the 1238 subjects enrolled in our study, 738 (60%) were classified as normal, defined as a normal fasting glucose level and normal glucose tolerance, and 334 (27%) and 166 (13%) were classified as borderline and diabetic, respectively, according to the criteria of the Japan Diabetes Society.

Association between hepatitis C virus core protein and carotid atherosclerosis.

A link between certain infectious microorganisms and an increased risk of atherosclerotic disease has been suggested. By analyzing the data of subjects who had undergone general health-screening tests, a possible association between carotid atherosclerosis and seropositivity of antibody against hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been previously reported. In the present study, a possible link between carotid atherosclerosis and HCV core protein positivity was assessed, because it is postulated to be a better marker of viremia and thus persistent infection.

Serum calcium concentration and carotid artery plaque: a population-based study.

Objectives: Serum calcium level may be associated with the morbidity and mortality of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. However, only a few large-scale population studies have been performed to investigate the association between serum calcium and carotid plaque.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on the subjects who underwent general health screening tests including ultrasonographic evaluation of the carotid artery between 1994 and 2000 at our institute.

Association between hepatitis C virus seropositivity, carotid-artery plaque, and intima-media thickening.

We investigated the relation between positivity for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and carotid-artery plaque and carotid intima-media thickening by analysing cross-sectional data of individuals undergoing a general health screening test. Of 4784 individuals enrolled, 104 (2.2%) were seropositive for HCV.