ATHEROSCLEROSIS;

ASSOCIATION OF ADIPONECTIN/LEPTIN RATIO TO INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS IN LOCAL POPULATION

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the adiponectin/leptin ratio and intima media thickness
between normal and atherosclerotic individuals. To find out the association of A/L ratio with
IMT in atherosclerotic patients. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study. Place
and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at department of Physiology, BMSI in
collaboration with Radiology department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, from
16th December 2014 to 15th December 2015. Methodology: 160 subjects having Doppler
ultrasound of neck were selected on the basis of pre-determined criteria. They were grouped in
cases i.e. atherosclerotic group (80 subjects) and control i.e. healthy group (80 subjects). Age
> 20 years, both genders, patients for ultrasound Doppler for neck region irrespective of their
provisional diagnosis, patients suffering from co-morbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension,
chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, asthma and COPD and Healthy individuals
(Controls) were included in this study. Patients who fail to gave consent and patients whose
ultrasound findings were not up to the mark required for diagnosis were excluded from this
study. Results: Out of 160 patients in this study in control Male: Female ratio was 1:1.1 while
in cases, Male: Female ratio = 1:1. Majority (53.1%) of cases had age >50 years {41(51.25%)
in controls and 44(55%) in cases}. Mean ages in two groups (controls and cases) were
49.39+12.30 years and 53.31+10.09 years respectively (p = 0.029).44 (22.5%) patients were
smoker and 116 (72.5%) were non-smoker. In control group, 13 (16.3%) were smokers whereas
in cases 31 (38.8%) were smokers (p = 0.002). Mean triglyceride levels were statistically high
in atherosclerotic subjects as compared to healthy individuals (138.31+62.65 mg/dl and
125.73+46.17 mg/dl respectively; p=0.024). Mean IMT of both right and left carotid arteries
examined via carotid Doppler ultrasound were statistically high in atherosclerotic individuals as
compared to healthy subjects {(Right carotid; 0.83+0.23 mm and 0.63+0.16 mm respectively;
p=0.022) (Left carotid; 0.85+0.25 mm and 0.64+0.16 mm respectively; p=0.004)}. Mean
Leptin levels were statistically high in atherosclerotic individuals as compared to healthy
subjects (332.32+555.31 ng/ml and 254.55+224.66 ng/ml respectively; p=0.001). However,
the difference in Adiponectin levels was insignificant (7.93+4.80 μg/ml and 9.45+4.73 μg/ml
respectively; p=0.343). Conclusion: We conclude that plasma levels of Adiponectin and Leptin
are significantly higher in atherosclerotic than normal individuals.