Abstract:Aim To analyze the risk factors of carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT) in adults with normal blood pressure and biochemical indices. Methods We recruited 736 healthy people with normal blood pressure and biochemical indices from the population of Dalian, China. All participants were tested for their CIMT, and biochemical indices (fasting plasma glucose(FPG),fasting insulin(FINS), 2 hours postprandial blood glucose of 75 g OGTT (2hPPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), serum uric acid(SUA) and serum creatinine (SCr)) and anthropometric indices(weight, height, waistline and systolic/diastolic pressure). Furthermore,waist-to-hip ratio(WHR), BMI, urinary alumin/creatinine ratio(UACR), creatinine clearance(Ccr), HOMA-IR and pulse pressure were calculated. Participants were then stratified into three groups according to their CIMT:C1(CIMT<0.9 mm),C2(0.9 mm≤CIMT<1.2 mm) and C3(CIMT≥1.2 mm). The associations between biochemical and anthropometric indices and the risk factors of CIMT were analyzed. Results (1) There was statistically significant difference(P<0.05) in age,BMI,waist circumference, WHR, SUA, systolic pressure and pulse pressure between the three groups stratified by CIMT. CIMT increased with age, waist circumference, SUA, systolic pressure and pulse pressure. WHR and BMI in C3 group were significantly higher than C1 and C2 group(P<0.05). (2)CIMT increased with age in males and females. The age-related increase in CIMT was different between male and female in 40-50 group and 50-60 group. The CIMT of male was significantly higher than female in age of 40-50. The CIMT of female was significantly higher than male in age of 50-60. (3)The partial correlation analysis showed that pulse pressure, BMI, waist circumference, SUA and systolic pressure all positively correlated with CIMT in males and females when excluded the influence of age. Logistic regression analysis showed that age and pulse pressure were independent risk factors of CIMT in males and females(P<0.05). Conclusions (1)CIMT increased with age within a cohort with normal blood pressure and biochemical indices. The CIMT of male was significantly higher than female in age of 40-50 . The CIMT of female was significantly higher than male in age of 50-60. (2)The present study shows that increasing age and pulse pressure are independent risk factors of CIMT in males and femals.