Influence of age and gender on asymptomatic carotid disease

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is one of the most severe and the most common diseases of modern man. Prevention is necessary in order to detect people who have risk factors for it. Objective: To determine the frequency of asymptomatic carotid disease in people of different ages. Subjects and methods: The project encompassed the part of population, that is, groups at high risk for stroke from the Republic of Srpska. 20 240 patients were examined - there were 12797 (63.23%) females and 7443 (36.77%) males. The study protocol was created, as well as adequate software products to support all phases of project implementation such as preparation of marketing materials, doctors' appointments, building of application for doctors and nurses to record patients' data, reports, analysis and conclusion. Upon completion of the project, data were statistically processed and the analysis of obtained results was conducted. Discussion: Pathological changes in blood vessels were noticed through the ultrasound examination of the aforementioned blood vessels of the neck and head, and the degree of narrowing of the blood vessels was determined. Furthermore, adequate measures and treatment to prevent progression of the aforementioned as well as the occurrence of stroke were applied. On the basis of the obtained data, it was concluded that the age was one of the most significant predisposing factors for the development of asymptomatic carotid disease. It was also noted that females were, more than men, prone to developing carotid asymptomatic disease. Conclusion: Average stenosis of all respondents was 18.36% (in females, stenosis was approximately 3.92% lower and it was 16.92%, when compared to males - 20.84% ). Overall median was 16% (in females 15% and it was 5% lower than in men - 20%).

Keywords

• ultrasound of the blood vessels of the neck and head
• prevention
• age
• gender