Early-Onset Carotid Atherosclerosis Is Associated With Increased Intima-Media Thickness and Elevated Serum Levels of Inflammatory Markers

Abstract

Inflammatory markers and homocysteine have a more important role than lipid factors in early-onset carotid atherosclerosis. We cannot recommend the measurement of low-density lipoprotein peroxidation as a routine screening test to identify high-risk patients for early-onset carotid atherosclerosis. The confounding effect of smoking on inflammatory markers should be considered in studies on atherosclerosis.