Carotid intima-media thickness as measured with ultrasonography is an inexpensive and noninvasive predictor of cardiovascular events. The objectives of this study were to determine the population reference ranges of carotid intima-media thickness for individuals aged 35-84 years in Algerian cohort and to analyze the association of carotid intima-media thickness with cardiovascular risk factors (age, smoking, diabetes, pulse pressure, lipid profile, and body mass index).

Population-based cross-sectional study conducted in military hospitals of Constantine and algiers (Algeria). We described the mean and maximal values of carotid intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and of its 3 segments (common carotid, carotid bulb and internal carotid). We assessed cardiovascular risk factors and analyzed their association with carotid intima-media thickness using adjusted linear regression models.

A total of 1547 individuals (54% women) were included, with mean age 58 years. Men showed significantly higher mean common carotid intima-media thickness than did women (0.71 vs. 0.67mm). The strongest predictors of this measure were age (coefficients for 10-year increase: 0.65 and 0.58 for women and men, respectively), smoking in men (coefficient: 0.26), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women (coefficient for 10mg/dL, increase: - 0.08) and pulse pressure in both sexes (coefficients for 10mmHg increase: 0.08 and 0.23 for women and men, respectively). The results were similar for the mean carotid intima-media thickness of all the segments.

This population-based study presents the reference ranges for carotid intima-media thickness in the Algerian population. The main determinants of carotid intima-media thickness were age and pulse pressure in both sexes.