Key result
Khat chewing linked to increased carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaque presence.
Why the study?
Khat chewing causes serious cardiovascular problems, but its effect on carotid intima-media thickness and plaque formation was not well characterized.
Case-Control (n=50)
p-value: p=0.016
Khat chewing was associated with increased carotid IMT; leaves open whether it independently accelerates atherosclerosis or warrants targeted screening.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Khat has severe adverse socio-economic consequences. It causes serious cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric problems. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of chewing khat on intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a descriptive case-control cross-sectional study. A total of 50 participants of chronic regular khat chewers were investigated. B-mode ultrasound 7-10 MHz linear transducers used for assessment of common carotid arteries according to the standard carotid sonography protocol. The IMT was measured and the presence of plaques was assessed. RESULTS The carotid IMT was significantly increased in regular khat chewers more than the controls (p-value = 0.016). The common carotid IMT increased in smokers more than non-smokers among khat chewers (0.6710±0.20687 vs. 0.5789±0.16859 mm). Significant correlations existed between the duration of chewing khat and age with the presence of plaque (p-values = 0.013 and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION There is a significant correlation between carotid plaque and longtime khat chewing. Khat is a contributory factor for increasing carotid intima-media thickness and formation of carotid plaques. A combination of khat and smoking produce more thickening of carotid intima-media.
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Gameraddin et al. (2019) conducted a case-control in Chronic regular khat chewers (n=50). Khat (Catha edulis) chewing vs. Controls was evaluated on Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid arteries (p=0.016). Khat chewing was associated with a significantly increased carotid intima-media thickness compared to controls (P=0.016), with duration of use correlating with plaque presence.
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