Evaluation of the effects of serum bilirubin levels on intimal medial hyperplasia of carotis vessels

Purpose: To investigate whether there is an independent effect of serum total bilirubin level on carotid atherosclerosis. Material and Metods: A total number of 145 subjects was used in this case-control type study. While 75 of the subjects had intimal medial hyperplasia in their carotid arteries, 70 of subjects served as the control group who had the same risk factors without intimal medial hyperplasia. Intimal medial hyperplasia was used as a dependent variable whereas hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, smoking and serum bilirubin levels were used as independent variables. Results: There were no differences between groups when age and sex were compared. Low total bilirubin level was found to be a risk factor for intimal medial hyperplasia as a result of logistic regression analysis [OR: 1.57, confidential limit 95% (1.16-1.93)]. On the other hand, hypertension (OR: 0.28, CI 95 %) and, hypercholesterolemia (OR: 0.31, CI 95 %) were found to be risk factors for intimal medial hyperplasia. Diabetes (OR: 1.38, CI 95 %) and smoking (OR: 0.90, CI 95 %) were not found as risk factors for intimal medial hyperplasia. Conclusion: Low serum total bilirubin level could be suggested as a risk factor for carotid intimal medial hyperplasia.