Aim. To assess atherosclerosis severity by duplex ultrasound of common carotid arteries (CCA), as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, in 30-55-year-old patients with abdominal obesity (AO).

Material and methods. The study included 203 patients (mean age 45,9 +/- 0,5 years) - 152 women (mean age 45,9 +/- 0,8 years) and 51 men (mean age 44,4 +/- 1,5 years) with AO (waist circumference, WC, >= 80 cm in women, >= 94 cm in men). In total, 36,5% were overweight (body mass index, BMI, 28,0 +/- 0,2 kg/m(2)), and 63,5% were obese (BMI 35,1 +/- 0,5 kg/m(2)). All participants underwent duplex CA ultrasound (ALOKA SSD-3500, Japan); CRP level was measured by quantitative turbidimetry.

Results. In AO patients, early CA atherosclerosis and increased CRP level were observed. Atherosclerotic plaques in CCA and/or internal CA were found in 39,8%. CCA intima-media thickness (IMT) correlated with WC and insulin level. CRP concentration positively correlated with IMT insulin level, WC, BMI, and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusion. In AO patients aged over 30 years, duplex CCA ultrasound should be recommended for early atherosclerosis diagnostics.