Prevalence and cardiovascular risk factors of carotid plaque in rural-dwelling adults: a population-based study in Shandong, China

Abstract Background The association between carotid plaque (CP) and cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) remains elusive. And few studies focus on CRFs associated with multiple CPs and irregular CP. We aimed to investigate CRFs associated with the presence, number and irregular surface morphology of CP in rural-dwelling Chinese population. Methods This population-based study included 2021 participants who were aged ≥ 40 and free of stroke. Data were collected via interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. Carotid plaque was estimated by ultrasonography. Binary logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyze data. Results Of the 2021 participants, 774 (38.3%) were detected with CP. The multi-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of CP was 1.75 (1.40–2.19) for hypertension, 1.62 (1.03–2.55) for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 1.55 (1.20–2.01) for high hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), 1.41 (1.07–1.87) for diabetes mellitus (DM), 1.39 (1.00-1.93) for high total cholesterol and 1.38 (1.03–1.85) for high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). When the number and surface morphology of CP were analyzed, hypertension, high hs-CRP, DM and high LDL-C were associated with multiple CPs; hypertension, high hs-CRP and high total cholesterol were associated with irregular CP. Conclusions Carotid plaque is common amongst middle-aged and older people living in rural China. Hypertension, low HDL-C, high hs-CRP, DM, high total cholesterol and high LDL-C may be associated independently with CP.