Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39688094›Full record

ArticleClinical physiology and functional imaging2025

Predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic healthy non-diabetic postmenopausal women.

Jehona Ismaili, Pranvera Ibrahimi, Venera Berisha-Muharremi, Rona Karahoda, Mimoza Berbatovci-Ukimeraj, Nora Istrefi, Bujar Gjikolli, Arlind Batalli, Afrim Poniku, Shpend Elezi and 2 more

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Article in Clinical physiology and functional imaging, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Jehona IsmailiClinic of Rheumatology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.
Pranvera IbrahimiClinic of Cardiology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Venera Berisha-MuharremiMedical Faculty, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Rona KarahodaResearch Unit, Heimerer College, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Mimoza Berbatovci-UkimerajClinic of Nephrology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Nora IstrefiClinic of Nephrology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Bujar GjikolliClinic of Radiology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosovo.
Arlind BatalliClinic of Rheumatology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.
Afrim PonikuClinic of Rheumatology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.
Shpend Elezi
Michael Y HeneinDepartment of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Gani BajraktariClinic of Rheumatology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimCardiovascular disease progresses after menopause. Conventional risk factors, particularly diabetes, for atherosclerosis are well-established predictors of phenotypic arterial disease. The aim of this study is to assess the predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic non-diabetic postmenopausal women.

methodsThis prospective study included 117 consecutive postmenopausal women (mean age 59 ± 7 years) referred from the outpatient Rheumatology Clinic of the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, recruited between September 2021 and December 2022. Clinical, biochemical, carotid ultrasound and coronary CT angiography data were analysed. Subclinical atherosclerosis was diagnosed when plaque and/or carotid intima-media thickness >1.00 mm were present.

resultsWomen who had subclinical atherosclerosis had higher erythrocyte sedimentation (p = 0.022), higher total cholesterol (p = 0.013), higher CAC score (p = 0.017), and higher prevalence of CAC > 100 HU and CAC > 400 HU (p = 0.017 and p = 0.034, respectively) compared to those without subclinical atherosclerosis. Women who had mild coronary calcification (CAC score ≥10 HU) were older (p = 0.005), in longer menopause (p = 0.005), had thicker CIMT (p = 0.008) with higher prevalence (p = 0.03) compared to those with CAC score <10 HU. Women with moderate coronary calcification (CAC score ≥100 HU) had higher triglycerides, worse CIMT (p = 0.005) with higher prevalence (p = 0.039) compared to those with CAC score <100 HU. In multivariate analysis [odds ratio 95% confidence interval], age [1.101 (1.032-1.174), p = 0.037] and cholesterol [2.020 (1.225-3.331), p = 0.006] independently predicted the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis.

conclusionsIn addition to the impact of age, hypercholesterolaemia is an important predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in non-diabetic postmenopausal women.

Indexed as

Asymptomatic DiseasesCarotid Intima-Media ThicknessPostmenopauseAgedAtherosclerosisCarotid Artery DiseasesComputed Tomography AngiographyCoronary AngiographyCoronary Artery DiseaseFemaleHumansMiddle AgedPredictive Value of TestsPrevalenceProspective StudiesRisk Assessmentatherosclerosiscarotid ultrasoundcoronary calcificationmenopausewomen

Identifiers

PMID39688094
PMCPMC11650537

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