Associations of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking Behaviors with Depressed Mood According to Gender in Korean Young Adults.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported that chronic mental health problems often emerge in young adulthood. This study elucidated the independent effects of smoking and drinking on depressed mood in young adults by sex. METHODS: We used Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 2014, 2016, and 2018. A total of 3,391 participants aged 19-35 years, without serious chronic diseases, were recruited for this study. Depression was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). RESULTS: Smoking behavior, current smoking, and number of days smoked were significantly associated with higher PHQ-9 scores in both men and women (all P<0.05). However, past and ever smoking were positively associated with PHQ-9 scores only in women (all P<0.001). Regarding alcohol consumption, the age at which drinking first began was negatively associated with PHQ-9 scores in both men and women (all P<0.001), but the amount of alcohol consumed at 1 time was positively associated with PHQ-9 scores only in women (P=0.013). Men who drank 2-4 times a month and women who had not drunk during the past year had the lowest PHQ-9 scores. CONCLUSION: Smoking and alcohol consumption were independently associated with depressed mood in young Korean adults, which was more pronounced in women, and exhibited sex-specific characteristics.

Men With Both Diabetes and a Family History of Diabetes Were Associated With Depressed Mood in Korean Adults.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is strongly associated with depression, especially in women. This study was designed to investigate the gender-specific association between DM and depressive mood by family history of diabetes. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey in 2020, were used. Of 6,133 participants aged 19 years or older, 4,259 participants were included after excluding participants without data of laboratory or physical examination, medical or family history of diseases, or depression scores of Patient Health Questionnaire-9. We examined associations of glucose and insulin metabolism, and DM with depressed mood by sex and family history of diabetes using logistic regression analyses with three stepwise models. In men, fasting glucose and HbA1c (odds ratio [OR]: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.10, 1.42]) levels were significantly associated with depressed mood. Men with DM and a family history of diabetes were also significantly associated with depressed mood (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: [1.12, 3.05]), whereas DM without a family history showed no association. In women, glucose and insulin metabolism had no associations with depressed mood, and DM was also not associated with depressed mood regardless of a family history of diabetes. In Korean adults, DM with a family history of diabetes and glucose metabolism showed significant associations with depressed mood in men, but not in women. Our results suggest that men with both DM and a family history of diabetes should be paid more attention to depressed moods, considering ethnic characteristics.

The Addition of ROTEM Parameter Did Not Significantly Improve the Massive Transfusion Prediction in Severe Trauma Patients.

Background: Rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM) has been used to evaluate the coagulation state, predict transfusion, and optimize hemostatic management in trauma patients. However, there were limited studies on whether the prediction value could be improved by adding the ROTEM parameter to the prediction model for in-hospital mortality and massive transfusion (MT) in trauma patients. Objective: This study assessed whether ROTEM data could improve the MT prediction model. Method: This was a single-center, retrospective study. Patients who presented to the trauma center and underwent ROTEM between 2016 and 2020 were included. The primary and secondary outcomes were massive transfusions and in-hospital mortality, respectively. We constructed two models using multivariate logistic regression with backward conditional stepwise elimination (Model 1: without the ROTEM parameter and Model 2: with the ROTEM parameter). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated to assess the predictive ability of the models. Result: In total, 969 patients were included; 196 (20.2%) received MT. The in-hospital mortality rate was 14.1%. For MT, the AUROC was 0.854 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.825-0.883) and 0.860 (95% CI, 0.832-0.888) for Model 1 and 2, respectively. For in-hospital mortality, the AUROC was 0.886 (95% CI, 0.857-0.915) and 0.889 (95% CI, 0.861-0.918) for models 1 and 2, respectively. The AUROC values for models 1 and 2 were not statistically different for either MT or in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: We found that the addition of the ROTEM parameter did not significantly improve the predictive power of MT and in-hospital mortality in trauma patients.

Weight change and mental health according to obesity in relatively healthy middle-aged Korean women: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014, 2016, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a known risk factor for various chronic conditions, as well as mental health disorders. However, there have been few studies on weight change and mental health according to obesity. This study was performed to elucidate the association between weight changes and mental health according to obesity in middle-aged women. METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014, 2016, 2018), which included 3953 women aged 40 to 59, were used in this study. After excluding those who had chronic conditions possibly affecting weight change, 2964 women were included in the study. The associations between weight changes and mental health, including perceived stress, depressed mood surveyed by the patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9), and current depressive disorder were analyzed. RESULTS: Weight change in non-obese and obese women was associated with poorer mental health, including perceived stress and depressed mood (p<0.05), although the significance disappeared in covariates-adjusted analysis in obese women. Both non-obese and obese women with weight gain had higher perceived stress than women with weight loss, while in the PHQ-9 scores, higher scores were observed in non-obese women with weight gain, and in obese women with weight loss. LIMITATIONS: Our study could not define causality because this was a cross-sectional study. And the information on body weight change was obtained by self-reported questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that in relatively healthy middle-aged Korean women, weight change was a significant factor associated with mental health, but obesity itself was not.

Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume, Executive Function, and Insomnia: Gender Differences in Adolescents.

The cerebellum is an important region responsible for adolescent cognitive function and sleep, and their correlation is expected to show different patterns depending on age and gender. We examined the regional cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV), executive function (EF) and insomnia symptoms to identify their correlation and gender differences in adolescents. Data for a total of 55 subjects' (M = 31, F = 24, 14.80 ± 1.39 years old) were analyzed. The correlations between cerebellar regional GMV and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) subcategories showed that EF was better with larger GMV both in males and females. Far more overall correlations with cerebellar regions were observed in boys, with corresponding correlation strength being higher, and differences in localization were also observed in contrast to girls. Larger cerebellar GMV corresponded to better EF in adolescents. Insomnia did not influence the correlations between cerebellar regional GMV and EF, but more severe insomnia in boys correlated to smaller GMV in the right flocculonodular lobe. These results might implicate that the adolescent cerebellum is involved differently in EF dependent on gender.

Prevalence and related factors of irregular menstrual cycles in Korean women: the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-V, 2010-2012).

INTRODUCTION: There have been few population-based studies reporting medical, lifestyle and psychological factors associated with irregular menstrual cycles. This study aimed to elucidate the prevalence and related factors of irregular menstrual cycles in Korean women. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Eligible women were 19-40 years old, not currently taking oral contraceptives or using intrauterine devices, and not currently pregnant or breast feeding, and had no medical history of hysterectomy, thyroid diseases, cancers or renal failure. Finally, 3194 premenopausal women were recruited in this study. The prevalence and related factors of irregular cycles were obtained using a general linear model and logistic regression analyses in a complex sampling design. RESULTS: The prevalence of irregular cycles was 14.3%. Age and high-education level were associated with lower odds ratios (ORs) for irregular cycles (OR 0.91, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.87-0.96, and OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.88, respectively). The ORs of body mass index, perceived stress and depressive mood were 1.05 (95% CI 1.01-1.10), 1.46 (95% CI 1.11-1.92) and 2.07 (95% CI 1.18-3.63), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Age, perceived stress, body mass index, depressive mood and education level, rather than obstetric factors or metabolic diseases were significant factors associated with irregular menstrual cycles in Korean women. Of these factors, perceived stress is the most significant factor associated with increased irregular menstrual cycles.

Great toenail dystrophy: a single-center experience and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: There have been a few reported cases of congenital great toenail dystrophy (GTND), described as a congenital malalignment of the great toenails. However, acquired GTDN is rare, and has not been documented extensively. This study aimed to describe the clinical features of 21 patients with acquired GTND. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with acquired GTND who visited Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital between June 2005 and August 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 43.1 years (range, 17 to 88 years), and the cohort predominantly comprised women (18/21). In our experience, all acquired GTND patients presented with yellow or yellow-brownish chromonychia, onychotrophy, and onycholysis. Conservative treatment with tape methods and grinding, as well as nail extraction, was provided and yielded little improvement in any case. CONCLUSION: This study provides initial data on the nail changes affecting the great toenail, such as yellowish chromonychia, onychomadesis, and onycholysis. These data may help physicians to distinguish various nail disorders, including onychomycosis, congenital malalignment of the great toenails, and yellow nail syndrome.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma arising in a patient with hypersensitivity to mosquito bites.

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites is defined as the appearance of intense skin reactive lesions and systemic symptoms subsequent to mosquito bites. Most cases of hypersensitivity to mosquito bites reported thus far have been associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection or natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma. In this study, we describe the case of an 18-year-old Korean boy who had hypersensitivity to mosquito bites associated with primary systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. After a mosquito bite, the patient developed a progressive cutaneous nodule on his left lower leg and regional lymphadenopathy in the left inguinal area. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings suggested anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the left T4 vertebrae, left external iliac lymph nodes, left inguinal lymph nodes, and lateral subcutaneous region of the left lower leg. According to the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings, as well as the imaging data, the patient was diagnosed with primary systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Consequently, the patient received a total of 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vincristine + prednisolone chemotherapy at 3-week intervals, after which the lesions regressed.

Gender differences in nighttime sleep and daytime napping as predictors of mortality in older adults: the Rancho Bernardo study.

OBJECTIVE: Many studies suggest optimal sleep duration for survival is 7-8h/night. We report the gender-specific independent association of all-cause mortality with nighttime sleep and daytime nap duration in older adults who were followed for up to 19years. METHODS: Between 1984 and 1987, 2001 community-dwelling, mostly retired, adults (1112 women), age 60-96years, answered questions about health, mood, medications, life-style, daytime napping, and nighttime sleep duration. Vital status was confirmed for 96% through July 2001. RESULTS: At baseline, men reported significantly longer nighttime sleep and daytime napping than women. In both men and women, nighttime sleep <6h was associated with depressed mood and sleep-related medication, and ⩾9h was associated with more alcohol consumption. Napping ⩾30min was associated with prevalent depressed mood, coronary heart disease, and cancer. Of the group, 61% died over the next 19years, at an average age of 85.6years. Mortality risk was lowest among those sleeping 7-7.9h/night in both men and women. Multiple-adjusted analyses showed that increased mortality was associated with nighttime sleep ⩾9h in women (HR 1.51: 95% CI=1.05-2.18), and with daytime napping ⩾30min in men (HR 1.28: 95% CI, 1.00-1.64). CONCLUSIONS: Mechanisms for these differences are unknown.

Effects of serum calcium and magnesium on heart rate variability in adult women.

The present study was designed to evaluate the association of serum calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels with heart rate variability (HRV). One hundred and sixteen adult women were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Serum Ca and Mg levels were measured, and HRV in each time and frequency domain was recorded for 5 min. Mean heart rate and standard deviation of the normal to normal interval (SDNN) and root mean square of differences of successive RR interval (RMSSD) in time domain and total power (TP), low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and LF/HF ratio in frequency domain were compared according to the tertiles of serum Ca and Mg levels and Ca/Mg ratio. The associations between serum Ca and Mg levels and Ca/Mg ratio with HRV were evaluated using regression analyses. Mean heart rate tended to increase from the lowest to the highest tertile of Ca levels (p = 0.081), whereas it decreased significantly with higher Mg levels (p = 0.026). Increasing SDNN value was observed from the lowest to the highest tertile of Mg levels (p = 0.009). SDNN value decreased significantly from the lowest to the highest tertile of Ca/Mg ratio (p = 0.030). Participants in the lowest tertile of Ca/Mg ratio had significantly higher TP and LF values compared to those in the middle and highest tertiles (p < 0.05). Decreasing SDNN, TP, and LF values were significantly associated with higher Ca/Mg ratios (p < 0.05). Associations of serum Mg level and Ca/Mg ratio with HRV could be one of the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular diseases.

The effect of cataract on sleep time and quality in late adulthood.

AIMS: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of senile cataract on sleep profiles. METHODS: Clinical interviews and comprehensive ophthalmological examinations were done on 378 patients over 59 years old. Severities of cataract as a whole (LO: lenticular opacity) and nucleosclerosis (LN: lenticular nucleosclerosis) were determined by the LOCS (Lens Opacities Classification System) III. PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) was performed to determine sleep profiles. HAS (Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale) was performed to evaluate emotional status. The relationship between total sleep time per night (TST), wake-up time and bed time with LO and LN were evaluated. RESULTS: LO and LN were both associated with earlier bed- and wake-up times, but only bed time and LN had significant association (p=0.0006). PSQI sleep quality subscale and global scores were significantly higher with advanced LN (p=0.017, p=0.018). CONCLUSION: Advanced nucleosclerosis is associated with earlier bed time and lower quality of sleep. Stimulus by appropriate light to the eye is necessary for the physiologic regulation of sleep.

Associations of zinc and copper levels in serum and hair with sleep duration in adult women.

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential micronutrients involved in numerous metabolic reactions. They are also antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate (NMDA) receptor in the central nervous system, which mediates mood, cognition, pain perception, and sleep. However, there have been few studies on the effects of Zn and Cu on sleep. A total of 126 adult women were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Zn and Cu levels in the serum and hair were measured for each subject. The participants completed the 7-day physical activity recall questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The mean hours of sleep were compared according to the tertiles of Zn, Cu, and Zn/Cu ratio in the serum and hair by analyses of covariance. The participants in the middle tertile of Zn and Zn/Cu ratio in the serum had significantly longer sleep duration compared to those in the lowest tertile (p<0.05 for each). An increasing Zn/Cu ratio in the hair was associated with longer sleep hours (p=0.026), whereas sleep duration decreased significantly from the lowest to the highest tertile of hair Cu level (p=0.010). The largest percentage of participants with optimal sleep duration was observed in the highest tertile of Zn/Cu ratio in the serum and hair (p=0.052 and 0.046, respectively). The results of our study suggest that Zn/Cu ratio as well as Zn or Cu levels in the serum and hair may be involved in sleep duration in adult women.

Chronic ethanol ingestion, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats.

Chronic alcohol consumption contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) while decreasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF may be an important regulator of glucose metabolism, so it may be associated with an increased risk for T2DM in alcoholism. We evaluated the association of chronic heavy alcohol exposure, T2DM and BDNF level. Ten week-old type 2 diabetic OLETF rats and non-diabetic LETO rats of similar weight were used. The rats were randomized by weight into four treatment groups: (1) OLETF-Ethanol (O-E, n=13), (2) OLETF-Control (O-C, n=15), (3) LETO-Ethanol (L-E, n=11), and (4) LETO-Control (L-C, n=14). The ethanol groups were fed an isocaloric liquid diet containing ethanol while the control groups were fed with the same diet containing maltose-dextran over a 6-week period using a pair-feeding control model in order to regulate different caloric ingestion. After 6 weeks of feeding, an Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test (IP-GTT) was performed and BDNF levels were analyzed. Prior to IP-GTT, the mean glucose levels in the O-E, O-C, L-E, and L-C groups were 90.38±12.84, 102.13±5.04, 95.18±6.43, and 102.36±4.43mg/dL, respectively. Thirty minutes after intraperitoneal injection, the mean glucose levels were 262.62±63.77, 229.07±51.30, 163.45±26.63, and 156.64±34.42mg/dL, respectively; the increased amount of the mean glucose level in the O-E group was significantly higher than that in the O-C group (p<0.05). One hundred twenty minutes after intraperitoneal injection, the mean glucose levels were 167.38±45.37, 121.20±18.54, 106.73±6.94, and 104.57±9.49mg/dL, respectively; the increased amount of the mean glucose level in the O-E group was significantly higher than that in the O-C group (p<0.01). The difference in mean glucose levels between the O-E group and O-C group was still significant even after adjusting for time (p<0.05). Mean BDNF levels were 405.95±326.16, 618.23±462.15, 749.18±599.93, and 1172.00±839.17pg/mL, respectively; mean BDNF level in the O-E group was significantly lower than the L-C group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that chronic heavy alcohol ingestion may aggravate T2DM and may possibly lower BDNF level.

Serum magnesium level is negatively associated with fasting serum glucose level in Korean adults.

Several studies have observed an inverse association between serum magnesium and fasting glucose levels. However, there have been sparse data on Koreans. The present study was designed to evaluate the association between serum magnesium and fasting serum glucose levels in Korean adults. A total of 949 Korean adults who visited an outpatient at a university hospital were included in this study. We compared mean values of clinical data according to the tertile of serum magnesium level using analysis of covariance. Association between serum magnesium and fasting glucose levels was evaluated using multiple regression analysis. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated to determine the association between hypomagnesemia and abnormal glucose metabolism. Fasting serum glucose levels decreased significantly from the lowest to the highest tertile of serum magnesium level (108.0±1.4, 106.5±2.1, 102.5±1.7 mg/dl, respectively, p=0.015), whereas blood pressure and lipid profile showed no significant associations. Serum magnesium level was negatively associated with fasting serum glucose level (ß=-0.114, p=0.001). Participants with hypomagnesemia had significantly higher OR for abnormal glucose metabolism compared to those with normomagnesaemia (OR=2.28, 95%CI 1.29-4.02). There was a negative association between serum magnesium and fasting glucose levels in Korean adults. In addition, hypomagnesemia was associated with abnormal glucose metabolism.

Dietary supplement use by South Korean adults: Data from the national complementary and alternative medicine use survey (NCAMUS) in 2006.

There has been little data on the prevalence of supplement use and the characteristics of the dietary supplement users in the Republic of Korea. This study presents the prevalence and the details of any dietary supplement use and the characteristics of the adults who use dietary supplements in the Republic of Korea. Between May 18 and June 16, 2006, nationwide and population-weighted personal interviews with 6,201 adult aged from 30 to 69 years were conducted and the final sample consisted of 3,000 people with a 49.8% response rate. We examined the prevalence and details of the use of dietary supplements and the characteristics of those who use the dietary supplement among adults. About sixty two percent of adults had taken any dietary supplement during the previous 12-month period in 2006. The most commonly reported dietary supplement was ginseng, followed by multivitamins, glucosamine, probiotics, and vitamin C. Female (versus male), an older age group, a higher family income, those living in metropolitan cities, those with marital experience, those with a higher level of education, and those having medical problems had a greater likelihood of reporting the use of any dietary supplements. The particular relationships differed depending on the type of supplement. The most Korean adults took one more dietary supplement and the dietary supplement users had different demographic and health characteristics compared to those of the nonusers. Research on diet supplements by the medical community is needed in the future.

Associations of serum Ca and Mg levels with mental health in adult women without psychiatric disorders.

Several lines of evidence from previous studies suggest that Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) may be involved in intracellular and interneuronal processes associated with affective disorders. However, there have been inconsistent results on the effect of Ca and Mg on depressive mood disorder. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine whether serum Ca and Mg levels, as well as serum Ca/Mg ratio, are associated with mental health in relatively healthy, adult women without psychiatric disorders. One hundred and twelve adult women were recruited from the outpatient clinic in a university hospital setting. Serum Ca and Mg levels were measured and indicators of mental health such as depression, anxiety, and stress were evaluated using two validated questionnaires; the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and the Modified Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument Stress Scale. After categorizing the serum Ca and Mg levels, and the Ca/Mg ratio into tertiles, the mean scores on each mental health scale were compared using analysis of covariance. The risk of depressive mood disorder according to the tertiles of serum Mg level and serum Ca/Mg ratio was assessed using logistic regression analysis. Women in the middle tertile of serum Ca/Mg ratio had significantly lower scores on depression and stress scales (p = 0.004 and p = 0.007, respectively) and a lower odds ratio (OR) for the risk of depressive mood disorder (OR = 0.31, CI(95%) 0.10-0.93) than those in the highest tertile. The OR for the risk of depressive mood disorder was higher in women in the lowest tertile of serum Mg than in those in the highest tertile (OR = 3.92, CI(95%) 1.11-13.83). Serum Mg level and serum Ca/Mg ratio may be involved in the mechanism for the progression of depressive mood or stress perception in relatively healthy, adult women.

To compare the efficacy and safety of nifedipine sustained release with Ginkgo biloba extract to treat patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon in South Korea; Korean Raynaud study (KOARA study).

This study examined the efficacy and safety of nifedipine sustained release (nifedipine SR) compared with Ginkgo biloba extract as treatment for primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in Korea. Primary RP were screened and assigned to either the nifedipine SR group (Group N) or the Ginkgo biloba extract group (Group G) in the ratio of 2:1. After a run-in period of 2 weeks, patients received treatment for 8 weeks. We observed the percent improvement of the RP attack rate between before and after the 8-week treatment. Ninety-three subjects were randomly assigned. The percent improvement in Group N was 50.1% at 8 weeks after treatment, while it was 31.0% in Group G (p = 0.03). No serious adverse events occurred, and almost adverse events were mild and improved without specific treatment. nifedipine SR was more effective than Ginkgo biloba extract for treatment of primary RP in Korean patients. Both drugs were tolerable with primary RP patients.

Associations of calcium and magnesium in serum and hair with bone mineral density in premenopausal women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Some minerals have been associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women or people with certain chronic diseases, but the results have been inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum and hair levels of calcium and magnesium with BMD in premenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of 104 premenopausal volunteers recruited from out-patient clinics and a health promotion center in a university hospital in Seoul, Korea evaluated the association of serum and hair minerals with BMD in premenopausal women. All participants completed BMD measurements at the spine and hip and provided hair for calcium and magnesium analysis; blood was obtained from 68 of these participants for serum analysis. RESULTS: Higher serum magnesium was associated with lower BMD at the spine (P = 0.047), but a higher hair magnesium was associated with higher BMD at the spine (P = 0.024). The ratio of serum calcium to magnesium was positively associated with BMD at the spine (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium in serum and hair was associated with BMD in premenopausal women. The ratio of serum calcium to magnesium appears to be a significant indicator of BMD.

Association of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (the Rancho Bernardo Study).

Studies of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as predictors of atherosclerosis have had mixed results. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations of IL-6 and CRP with the severity of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis measured 12 years later. Participants were 392 adults (56.9% women, mean age 63.2 years) from the Rancho Bernardo Study who had biomarkers measured from 1984 to 1987 and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measured from 1996 to 1998. Age-adjusted mean carotid IMT was significantly greater in men than women. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, carotid IMT increased significantly with increasing IL-6 quartiles (p <0.001). In similar analyses, the association between CRP quartiles and carotid IMT was weaker but remained statistically significant (p <0.05). In multiple regression analysis, IL-6 was significantly associated with carotid IMT regardless of CRP. Conversely, CRP was significantly associated with carotid IMT when IL-6 was not included in the model, but this association became nonsignificant when IL-6 was included. In conclusion, baseline IL-6 and CRP were significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. The association of IL-6 was independent of CRP, but not vice versa, suggesting an effect of IL-6 on an earlier state of atherosclerosis.