Key result
Male sex linked to 0.005 cm thicker right CIMT versus females in healthy young adults.
Why the study?
Population-specific carotid intima-media thickness data for young adults in Saudi Arabia are lacking, prompting the need for preliminary measurements to aid early cardiovascular disease risk assessment.
Cross-Sectional (n=63)
No
Mean Difference: 0.005 (95% CI 0.001–0.008)
Absolute Event Rate: 0.055% vs 0.051%
p-value: p=0.012
The Butterfly iQ+ handheld ultrasound device is feasible for point-of-care CIMT measurement, establishing preliminary data for young healthy adults in Saudi Arabia where males showed significantly thicker CIMT.
Generates preliminary CIMT reference data for young Saudi adults with HHUD; leaves open clinical utility pending larger prospective validation.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global mortality, necessitating its early detection. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a validated biomarker of CVD. In Saudi Arabia (SA), population-specific CIMT data for young adults are lacking. This pilot study aimed to generate single-institution preliminary CIMT data using the Butterfly iQ+ handheld ultrasound device (HHUD) and identify CVD risks. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 63 medical students. CIMT was measured bilaterally on common carotid artery (CCA), using the Butterfly iQ+ HHUD. Data on sex, age, ethnicity, BMI, mean arterial pressure (MAP), family history, and dietary habits were collected and analysed using t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square tests, Spearman’s rho (ρ) correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: Mean age was 19.19 ± 1.89 years, and mean BMI was 24.93 ± 4.72 kg/m2. Mean CIMT was 0.053 ± 0.006 cm. Males demonstrated thicker right CIMT (0.055 cm; 95% CI: 0.053–0.058 cm) than females (0.051 cm; 95% CI: 0.048–0.053 cm; mean difference: 0.005 cm, 95% CI: 0.001–0.008 cm; p = 0.012) and higher mean CIMT (0.0548 vs. 0.0513 cm; mean difference: 0.004 cm, 95% CI: 0.000–0.007 cm; p = 0.031). Height (ρ = 0.266; p = 0.035) and weight (ρ = 0.320; p = 0.011) correlated with right CIMT. Stepwise regression identified sex as the sole independent predictor (R2 = 0.105; F = 6.541; p = 0.013). Conclusions: This pilot study establishes preliminary single-institution CIMT data for young healthy medical students at a single university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sex, height, and body weight are key early determinants of carotid wall thickness. The Butterfly iQ+ HHUD is a feasible point-of-care tool for CIMT measurement, supporting community-based CVD screening in the region.
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Akhund et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=63). Male sex vs. Female sex was evaluated on Right carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (MD 0.005 cm, 95% CI 0.001-0.008, p=0.012). Male sex was associated with a thicker right carotid intima-media thickness compared to females (mean difference 0.005 cm; 95% CI 0.001-0.008 cm; p=0.012) among healthy young adults.
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