International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780251120141116141221ENBiochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranCardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranDepartment of Statistics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranBiochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranCardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranBiochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranCardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranCardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranBiochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranPsychiatry and Behavioral Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranBiochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranBiochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranDivision of Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, RM 342, Mayfi eld House, University of Brighton, BN1 9PH, UKBiochemistry and Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran20141116<p><strong>Background: </strong>Carotid ultrasound appears to be useful in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. In this study, we have assessed the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in a group of individuals without a history of cardiovascular events.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A sample of 431subjects (189 [43.9%] males and 242 [56.1%] females) was obtained from an urban population using a stratifi ed-cluster method in Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerosis disorder study. None of the subjects had a history of the cardiovascular event. Carotid artery duplex ultrasound was used to determine the CIMT in all subjects, and to identify those with an abnormal value (CIMT [+]; i.e., CIMT &ge; 0.8 mm). Dietary intake of participants was assessed using a questionnaire for 24-h dietary recall. The relationship between anthropometric, biochemical and dietary data and CIMT were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of subjects was 48.7 &plusmn; 8.0 years. Of the 431 patients, 118 (27.4%) were found to be CIMT (+). Of the cardiovascular parameters assessed, only age (odds ratio [OR] [95% confi dence interval (CI)], 1.11 [0.56-4.34]; <em>P </em>&lt; 0.01) and male gender (OR [95% CI], 1.14 [0.63-2.23]; <em>P </em>&lt; 0.05) were signifi cant independent predictors of ultrasound defi ned CIMT. Crude and total energy adjusted intake were not associated with the presence of CIMT (+).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>It appears that within a relatively young Iranian population of individuals without a history of cardiovascular event, the presence of CIMT (+) defined by duplex ultrasound cut-off value of &ge;0.8 mm, did not associate with several modifiable cardiovascular risk factors or measures of dietary intake.</p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Carotid artery atherosclerosis, duplex ultrasound, intima-media thickness, nutritional intake, risk factors<span id="mce_marker">&nbsp;</span>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1444http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1444/1721