The relation between increased carotid intima-media thickness with
fibrin monomers in obese children
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between
carotid intima-media changes that play a part in the atherosclerotic
process in childhood obesity and fibrin monomers as an important
indicator of fibrin plaque. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of
obese children and non-obese healthy control subjects. Height, weight,
body mass index, waist/hip ratio, systolic/diastolic blood pressures
were recorded, in addition, biochemistry, hemogram, fibrin monomers and
d-dimer were measured in both groups. Right and left common carotid
intima-media thicknesses were measured by ultrasonography and mean
carotid intima-media thickness was calculated. Results: Obese children
(n=89, 46.1% girls, median age: 12.6±2.3 years) and healthy control
group (n=40, 52.5% girls, median age: 13.2±2.2 years) were comparable
in terms of gender, age and puberty stage. Mean carotid intima-media
thickness was higher in obese children than the healthy control group
(p=0.002). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of
fibrin monomers and D-dimer levels. In obese children, there was a weak
negative correlation between mean carotid intima-media thickness and
fibrin monomers (p=0.030, r=-0.233). Conclusion: In obese children, mean
carotid intima-media thickness was determined higher, as an early
indicator of atherosclerosis. We want to emphasize that obese children
are at risk for cardiovascular disease and should be evaluated in terms
of atherosclerosis. This study investigates the relation between
increased carotid intima-media thickness and fibrin monomers, in
children, the first time in Literature. What’s already known about this
topic? It is possible to reveal the early period of the atherosclerosis
process by showing carotid intima medial thickness. Fibrin is a major
component of many atherosclerotic plaques. What does this article add?
Our study investigated the relationship between mean carotid
intima-media thickness in childhood obesity and fibrin monomers. But no
positive correlation was found between fibrin monomers and the carotid
intima-media thickness.