Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Gülhane Askeri Tıp akademisi ve Tıp Fakültesi, Geriatri Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
Gülhane Askeri Tıp akademisi ve Tıp Fakültesi, Acil Tıp Anabilim Dalı-Ankara The aims of our study were to investigate the casual relationship between age and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and to assess the effects of possible risk factors in healthy nondiabetic elderly. 72 healthy, well-educated, nondiabetic elderly over age of 65 (65-86, mean age was 71.50 t 5.01) admitted to GATA Geriatric Outpatient Unit for follow-up. All subjects underwent a comprehensive assessment including a battery of psychosocial and functional performance tests. In addition, also all were asked about health prevention topics including exercise, dietary habits, smoking, vaccination, cholesterol screening etc. Carotid artery IMT was measured by ultrasonography. Blood samples were obtained for fasting glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride and fibrinogen. Mean carotid artery IMT was 0.94 t 0.13 mm and mean HbA1c levels was 5.29:!: 0.65 mg/dl. We found no significant correlation between age and carotid artery IMT (R=0.06935), HbA1c levels (R= -0.04776) and other possible atherosclerosis risk factors. Also there was no correlation between carotid artery IMT and HbA1c levels (R=-0.009711). Our study showed that preventive health care measures and risk factor modification is important and must be improved in the elderly age group. Comparative studies done with the elderly who do not benefit from preventive health care programs are needed. Keywords : Aged, Carotid artery intima-media thickness, Hemoglobin A1c