Key result
Male sex was associated with a significantly higher risk of having 3 or more ipsilateral hypoechogenic carotid plaques compared to women (24.2% vs 4.1%; OR 20; 95% CI 5.5-75; p=0.002).
Why the study?
Are there sex differences in carotid artery atherosclerosis severity and plaque morphology in the early phase after an ischemic event?
Observational (n=196)
Are there sex differences in carotid artery atherosclerosis severity and plaque morphology in the early phase after an ischemic event?
Odds Ratio: 20 (95% CI 5.5–75)
Absolute Event Rate: 24.2% vs 4.1%
p-value: p=0.002
Men have a higher prevalence of moderate to severe carotid stenosis and unstable hypoechogenic plaques compared to women in the early phase after an ischemic event.
OBJECTIVES: There is little data about sex differences in carotid atherosclerosis in the early phase after an ischemic event. The aim of this study was to examine the carotid artery atherosclerosis differences between men and women in early phase after TIA or stroke. METHODS: Consecutive patients with recent ischemic event, admitted during the first week after symptom onset were examined with ultrasound. Sex differences in degree of stenosis, number of plaques and plaque morphology were compared. Plaque morphology was assessed by gray-scale median (GSM), according to which lower values were associated with hemorrhagic/necrotic core indicating plaque instability. RESULTS: Of the 316 patients with ischemic events, 196 (50.5% male) entered the study. Men had more often moderate as well as severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis (12.1% vs 7.2% for moderate and 12.1% vs 2.1% for severe; p=0.024). Men had more often the largest plaque hypoechogenic contralateral (62.6% vs 37.1%, p=0.0008), but not ipsilateral. Men had 3 or more hypoechogenic plaques (24.2% vs 4.1%, p=0.0001; 17.2% vs 4.1%, p<0.0001) both ipsi and contralateral respectively. Male sex was a risk factor for having 3 or more ipsilateral hypoechogenic plaques (p=0.002, OR=20 CI 95% [5.5-75]. CONCLUSIONS: Men had more often carotid stenosis and higher number of hypoechogenic plaques.
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Skowrońska et al. (2017) conducted an observational in TIA or stroke (n=196). Male sex vs. Female sex was evaluated on 3 or more ipsilateral hypoechogenic plaques (OR 20, 95% CI 5.5-75, p=0.002). Male sex was associated with a significantly higher risk of having 3 or more ipsilateral hypoechogenic carotid plaques compared to women (24.2% vs 4.1%; OR 20; 95% CI 5.5-75; p=0.002).
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