Correlation between the Framingham risk score and intima media thickness: The Paroi Artérielle et Risque Cardio-vasculaire (PARC) study

Aims Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) is associated with an increased risk of cardio-vascular events, but its correlation with the absolute cardio-vascular risk is not well known in large populations. The Paroi Artérielle et Risque Cardio-vasculaire (PARC) study was designed to evaluate the relationship between conventional assessment of the global cardio-vascular risk by means of the Framimgham score and measurement of IMT of the common carotid artery (CCAIMT). Methods and results About 246 French cardiologists selected 6416 subjects. CCAIMT measurements were performed using a specific methodology designed to harmonize the acquisition and processing of B-mode ultrasound images. The Framingham cardio-vascular score was determined for each individual. The relationship between CCAIMT and Framingham scores was evaluated using linear or polynomial models of regression. We found a significant correlation between CCAIMT and all components of the Framingham score (p < 0.005 for all parameters). The Framingham score and CCAIMT values were non-linearly related (coefficients of determination R2 were 19% and 20% in men, 28% and 29% in women, for subjects with and without personal history of cardio-vascular disease, respectively). The younger the subjects, the steeper the relationship, when the analysis was performed according to decades. Conclusions The Framingham score and CCAIMT values were significantly correlated. However variations in CCAIMT only explained a modest part of the Framingham score and vice versa.