Skin Cholesterol and Carotid IMT

This study showed that skin cholesterol has a strong correlation to increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a well-established marker of atherosclerosis (the hardening and narrowing of the arteries). The study included 81 patients without known vascular disease who were referred for determination of CIMT. Patients underwent B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries and measurement of skin cholesterol using PREVU* POC Skin Sterol Test. CIMT was significantly higher among patients in the highest quartile of skin cholesterol (p = 0.017). Skin cholesterol was associated with increased CIMT even after adjusting for age, sex, glucose, systolic blood pressure, total: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and use of lipid-lowering therapy (p = 0.031).

This strong association with increased CIMT suggests that skin cholesterol testing may help to identify asymptomatic patients who could benefit from more intensive interventions.

View Abstract - Skin Cholesterol Content Indentifies Subclinical Atherosclerosis in                      Asymptomatic Adults