Fish and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Carotid Intima– Media Thickness in Japan: the Aidai Cohort Study in Yawatahama, Uchiko, Seiyo, and Ainan

Abstract

Aim: Epidemiological evidence regarding the relationship between fish and fatty acid intake and carotid intima– media thickness (CIMT) has been limited and inconsistent. The current cross-sectional study investigated this issue using baseline data from the Aidai Cohort Study. Methods: Study subjects were 2024 Japanese men and women aged 34–88 years. Right and left CIMT were measured at the common carotid artery using an automated carotid ultrasonography device. Maximum CIMT was defined as the largest CIMT value in either the left or right common carotid artery. Carotid wall thickening was defined as a maximum CIMT value ＞1.0 mm. Results: The prevalence of carotid wall thickening was 13.0%. In men, intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was independently positively related to the prevalence of carotid wall thickening, while no associations were found between intake of fish and the other fatty acids and carotid wall thickening or maximum CIMT. In women, intake levels of fish, n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid were independently inversely associated with carotid wall thickening and intake levels of fish, n-3 PUFA, α-linolenic acid, n-6 PUFA, and linoleic acid were independently inversely associated with the maximum CIMT. No significant relationships were found between intake of total fat, saturated fatty acids, or monounsaturated fatty acids and carotid wall thickening or maximum CIMT regardless of sex. Conclusions: In women, higher intake of fish and n-3 and n-6 PUFA may be associated with a lower prevalence of carotid wall thickening and a decrease in maximum CIMT.