Association between carotid intima-media thickness and inflammatory bowel disease: systematic literature review

ABSTRACT

Background: atherosclerosis is involved in inflammatory diseases, and inflammation can be a valuable predictor of cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, an increase in intima-media thickness [IMT] is usually considered as a primary marker of atherosclerotic lesions.Hence, measurement of IMT may be useful for early detection of atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature in which the IMT had been evaluated as diagnostic marker for the detection of atherosclerosis in patients with IBD