Evidence for a strong genetic influence on carotid plaque characteristics: an international twin study.
Stroke
; 43(12): 3168-72, 2012 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23086674
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Few family studies reported moderate genetic impact on the presence and scores of carotid plaques. However, the heritability of carotid plaque characteristics remains still unclear. Twin studies more reliably estimate the relative contribution of genes to these traits in contrast to family study design.METHODS:
One hundred ninety-two monozygotic and 83 dizygotic adult twin pairs (age 49±15 years) from Italy, Hungary, and the United States underwent B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound of bilateral common, internal, and external carotid arteries.RESULTS:
Age-, sex-, and country-adjusted heritability was 78% for the presence of carotid plaque (95% CI, 55%-90%), 74% for plaque echogenicity (hypoechoic, hyperechoic, or mixed; 95% CI, 38%-87%), 69% for plaque size (area in mm2 in longitudinal plane;CONCLUSIONS:
The heritability of ultrasound characteristics of carotid plaque is high. Unshared environmental effects account for a modest portion of the variance. Our findings should stimulate the search for genes responsible for these traits.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estenose das Carótidas
/
Ultrassonografia Doppler
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
/
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Stroke
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Hungria