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Right and left maximum carotid artery plaque thicknesses were averaged for each patient;the average of this value for all 790 subjects was 1.9mm.In bivariate analysis,age(p<0.0001),pack-years(p<0.0001),history of hypertension(p=0.0003),and history of diabetes(p=0.037)were each positively associated with carotid artery plaque thickness.In multiple regression analysis,age(p<0.0001),pack-years(p=0.0005),and history of hypertension(p=0.0044)were statistically significant independent predictors of carotid artery plaque thickness,but history of diabetes(p=0. 2451)was not.Conclusions:In smokers,the level of cigarette use is associated with an acceleration of carotid artery atherosclerosis development.This effect is independent of age,hypertension,and diabetes. These results support smoking abatement as an important element to stroke prevention in clinical practice. |
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