Epidemiology and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Patients with Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in the Republic of Uzbekistan: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study
Abstract
Aim. Atherosclerosis of the carotid artery basin is a key pathogenic factor in ischemic stroke. In the context of a lack of local epidemiological data, studying the prevalence of lesions and associated risk factors in the Republic of Uzbekistan is of particular importance. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries, identify associated risk factors, and perform cardiovascular risk stratification using the SCORE scale among the adult population of Uzbekistan, taking into account gender, age, and regional characteristics.
Materials and Methods. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Cardiology (Tashkent). The analysis included data from 6,425 adult patients who underwent ultrasound duplex scanning of the carotid arteries. Demographic indicators, blood pressure levels, lipid profile, smoking status, presence of arterial hypertension (AH), and 10-year cardiovascular risk according to the SCORE scale were assessed. For statistical analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used.
Results. Atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid arteries were significantly more frequently detected in men over 50 years of age (p<0.05). The strongest correlation was found with arterial hypertension (r=0.85; p<0.001). Smoking and elevated systolic blood pressure showed a moderate association with plaque presence (p<0.01). Mean SCORE values in certain regions (Samarkand and Navoi regions) reached
Conclusion. These findings emphasize the need to implement targeted preventive programs aimed at controlling hypertension and reducing smoking prevalence in high-risk groups.
About the Authors
List of references
Roth GA, Mensah GA, Johnson CO, Addolorato G, Ammirati E, Baddour LM, et al.; GBD-NHLBI-JACC Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases Writing Group. Global burden of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: update from the GBD 2019 study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;76(25):2982–3021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.11.010. Erratum in: J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;77(15):1958–1959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.02.039.
World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 31 Jul 2025 [cited 2025 Aug 4]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/factвҐÇsheets/detail/cardiovascular- diseases-(cvds)
Touboul PJ, Hennerici MG, Meairs S, Adams H, Amarenco P, Bornstein N, et al. Mannheim carotid intima-media thickness and plaque consensus (2004–2006–2011): an update on behalf of the advisory board of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Watching the Risk Symposia, at the 13th, 15th and 20th European Stroke Conferences, Mannheim, Germany, 2004, Brussels, Belgium, 2006, and Hamburg, Germany, 2011. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2012;34(4):290–296. https://doi.org/10.1159/000343145.
Conroy RM, Pyo¨ ra¨la¨ K, Fitzgerald AP, Sans S, Menotti A, De Backer G, et al.; SCORE project group. Estimation of ten-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease in Europe: the SCORE project. Eur Heart J. 2003;24(11):987–1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0195-668x(03)00114-3.
Correction to: 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension: developed by the Task Force on the Management of Elevated Blood Pressure and Hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and endorsed by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) and the European Stroke Organisation (ESO). Eur Heart J. 2025;46(14):1300. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ ehaf031. Erratum for: Eur Heart J. 2024;45(38):3912–4018. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae178.
Ference BA, Ginsberg HN, Graham I, Ray KK, Packard CJ, Bruckert E, et al. Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 1. Evidence from genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical studies: a consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel. Eur Heart J. 2017;38(32):2459–2472. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehx144.
Pescetelli I, Zimarino M, Basso C, Ghirarduzzi A, Thiene G, De Caterina R. Extent and progression of atherosclerosis in carotid and subclavian arteries: the Carotid Artery Subclavian Artery study. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2021;22(8):652–656. https://doi.org/10.2459/JCM.0000000000001151.
Zhang Y, Fang X, Hua Y, Tang Z, Guan S, Wu X, et al. Carotid artery plaques, carotid intima-media thickness, and risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause death in older adults: a 5-year prospective, community-based study. Angiology. 2018;69(2):120–129. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003319717716842.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ф.М. Бекметова , Х.Г. Фозилов , С.Я. Абдуллаева , М.Н. Хотамова , А.Ш. Алманова , Ш.Н. Дониёров (Автор)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.