Assessment of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness of Stroke Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South-West Nigeria

A bstract Background: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries playing a key role in its pathogenesis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a key subclinical atherosclerosis marker and an independent predictor of stroke risk. Objective(s): This study assessed the CIMT of stroke patients and the presence of plaques Materials and Methods: This 1-year study at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals complex, Ile-ife, included 52 stroke patients and 52 controls. Demographic, clinical, and vital data were collected, with ethical approval granted. A B-mode ultrasound assessed CIMT in 52 stroke patients and controls, with blood tests for lipids and glucose analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 20). Results: Stroke cases (61.0 ± 11.6 years) had higher CIMT (1.01 ± 0.18 vs. 0.68 ± 0.12, p<0.001) and more plaques (26.9% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.001) than controls (58.4 ± 10.8 years). Conclusion: Increased carotid intima–media thickness and a higher prevalence of carotid plaques were significantly associated with stroke, highlighting the potential value of CIMT measurement in identifying individuals at increased risk.