Association of Carotid Intima Media Thickness With Metabolic Syndrome Among Low-Income Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) including its components and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in a low-income Chinese population aged ≥45 years. Methods: The participants underwent a general health screening and B-mode carotid ultrasonography that measured CIMT. The diagnosis of MetS and its components was based on the modified International Diabetes Federation Criteria for the Asian Population. The univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between MetS and CIMT. Results: A total of 3,583 participants (mean age, 60 years) was included in the analyses (41.4% male and 58.6% female); more than 50% of the participants were diagnosed with MetS. In the multivariable linear regression analysis, the mean CIMT was 0.009 mm greater in the participants with MetS than in those without MetS (β = 0.009; 95% CI, 0.003–0.014; P < 0.05). Moreover, a high number of MetS components was associated with greater CIMT values; for example, CIMT increased by 0.007 and 0.015 mm for the individuals diagnosed with 3–4 and 5 MetS components, respectively. Among the MetS components, elevated blood pressure (β = 0.022; 95% CI, 0.015–0.029; P < 0.001) and abdominal obesity (β = 0.008; 95% CI, 0.001–0.015; P < 0.001) were positively correlated with CIMT. However, the increased triglyceride levels were negatively associated with CIMT (β = −0.008; 95% CI: −0.015 to −0.002; P = 0.012), especially among the elderly population. Conclusions: The risk of carotid atherosclerosis increased in the presence of multiple MetS components in a low-income, middle-aged, and elderly population. Accordingly, more detailed management strategies are essential for the early prevention and intervention of atherosclerosis in this low-income population with MetS, in China.