Association of Serum Lipid Profile Abnormalities with Early Atherosclerotic Changes Assessed by Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Adults with Hyperlipidemia

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor that can contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, which is modifiable. Silent structural changes in the vascularity before clinical signs appear are commonplace. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a proven non-invasive measurement of the early atherosclerotic changes. Objectives: To evaluate the association between serum lipid profile abnormalities and early atherosclerotic alterations, assessed through CIMT, in adults with hyperlipidemia. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study that involved 100 adults who were known to have hyperlipidemia. Standardized enzymatic methods were used to measure fasting serum lipid parameters, comprising the total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides. High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was used to determine the bilateral assessment of CIMT. Correlation and regression tests were done to identify relationships between lipid parameters and CIMT. Results: The average CIMT was 0.81 (0.11) mm with 63 per cent. of the people showing an increase in CIMT. Anywhere there were significant positive relationships found between CIMT and total cholesterol (p < 0.05), LDL-C (p < 0.05), and triglycerides (p < 0.05). The HDL-C had a significant negative relationship with CIMT. Significant predictors of a greater CIMT in the presence of confounders were LDL-C. Conclusion: Early non-clinical atherosclerotic alterations are strongly linked with serum lipid abnormalities. CIMT is an effective instrument for stratifying the cardiovascular risks of hyperlipidemic adults at the beginning. Dyslipidemia can be identified and treated early to decrease cardiovascular morbidity in the future.