Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism and Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Northern Manhattan Study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism has previously been associated with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in predominantly Caucasian populations. We sought to test the strength of the relationship between APOE-?4 carrier status and subclinical atherosclerosis in a tri-ethnic population with a large Hispanic representation. METHODS:We assessed the association between APOE polymorphism and cIMT and plaque burden among 1243 stroke-free individuals (mean age 69 years, 65% Hispanic, 18% black, 17% white) using a sequence of multivariable regression models. RESULTS:After adjusting for demographics, vascular risk factors and plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, APOE-?4 carrier status was positively associated with cIMT (mean difference, .013?mm; 95% confidence interval, .003-.023?mm). The APOE-?4 association with cIMT appeared to be segment-specific with greater differences in IMT between APOE-?4 carriers and noncarriers in the common carotid artery (CCA, .014?mm) and bifurcation (.017?mm) than in the internal carotid artery (ICA) IMT (.007?mm). This relationship was not modified by race-ethnicity. Presence of diabetes modified the ?4-cIMT relationship in CCA (P?=?.045) and ICA (P?=?.046). APOE-?4 carrier status was not associated with plaque presence or plaque area. CONCLUSIONS:APOE-?4 carriers had elevated cIMT independent of demographics and vascular risk factors including LDL levels. Diabetes was an effect modifier of the relationship between APOE-?4 and IMT, such that ?4 carriers with diabetes had greater IMT in the CCA and ICA than those without diabetes. The APOE-IMT relationship was not modified by race-ethnicity.

SUBMITTER: Doliner B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5811383 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature