Association between Serum Alkaline Phosphatase and Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Chinese Population: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to investigate the relationship between alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and common carotid intima media thickness (IMT), carotid plaque, and extracranial carotid artery stenosis (ECAS).@*METHODS@#A total of 3,237 participants aged ⪖ 40 years were recruited from Jidong community in 2013-2014. Participants were divided into five quintile groups based on their serum ALP levels. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed using ultrasound. Abnormal IMT, carotid plaque, and ECAS were defined as IMT > 0.9 mm, IMT > 1.5 mm, and ⪖ 50% stenosis in at least one extracranial carotid artery, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Common carotid IMT values and the prevalence of carotid plaque increased across serum ALP quintiles. Higher ALP quintiles were correlated with an increased risk of abnormal IMT [fourth quintile odds ratio (OR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-2.82, P = 0.0135; fifth quintile OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.15-2.87, P = 0.0110] and ECAS compared to the lowest quintile (fifth quintile OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.09-1.97, P = 0.0106). The association between ALP and prevalence of carotid plaque became insignificant after adjustment for confounders.@*CONCLUSION@#Serum ALP levels were independently associated with abnormal common carotid IMT and ECAS. These conclusions need to be further corroborated in future prospective cohort studies.