Metabolic syndrome and carotid intima media thickness in urban police officers

Objective: To examine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) separately in male and female police officers. Methods: MetSyn was defined using 2005 guidelines. B-mode ultrasound was used to measure mean and maximum (12 and 36 segments) carotid artery thickness. Analysis of covariance was used to compare mean IMT values across individuals categorized by number of MetSyn components. Adjustments were made for age, smoking status, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS: Among 106 women, the adjusted mean common and maximum36 carotid IMT were significantly and positively associated with number of MetSyn components. No associations were found in men (n = 304). Adjusted carotid IMT values were inversely associated with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and directly with hypertension in women. CONCLUSIONS: Number of MetSyn components was significantly associated with carotid IMT in female but not in male officers.