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NIGER DELTA JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & MEDICAL RESEARCH

A Publication Of Nigeria Medical Association Bayelsa State Branch

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Archive | ISSUE: 159, Volume: Jul-Sep-2026

POPULATION SPECIFIC VARIATION IN CAROTID ARTERY MORPHOMETRY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NIGERIAN DATA ON LUMINAL DIAMETER AND INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS WITH GLOBAL POPULATIONS


Author: Selekeowei Peter Kespi Kpuduwei

published date:2026-Sep-14

FULL TEXT in - | page 104–109

Abstract

Background: Human anatomy exhibits population-level variations influenced by genetic and environmental factors. This study compares sonographic measurements of carotid artery luminal diameter and intima-media thickness from a Nigerian cohort with published data from other global populations to quantify morphological variation.

Methods: Normative data for the common carotid artery (CCA) diameter from 104 healthy Nigerians were compared with values from published studies in Sweden, the United States, Norway, Brazil, Sudan, Peru, Germany, Spain and Iraq.

Results: The mean CCA diameter among Nigerians (male = 6.2±0.09 mm vs female = 6.0±0.07 mm) had significant difference with many other values compared globally but did not demonstrate sexual dimorphism seen in other climes especially among western countries USA (5.7±0.79 mm vs 6.2±0.88 mm), Swedish (6.3±0.60 mm vs 5.6±0.50 mm) and Norway (6.7±0.90 mm vs 6.2±0.70 mm). Equally, intima-media thickness of CCA among Nigerians (0.49±0.01 mm vs 0.48±0.01 mm in male and female respectively) was significantly lower than was obtained across the globe with Sudan (0.60±0.10 mm vs 0.61±0.10 mm), Spain (0.67 mm vs 0.65 mm) and only similar to Germany (0.47 mm vs 0.47 mm) with no sexual difference. A key finding was the consistent absence of sexual dimorphism in the Nigerian cohort, which was variable in most Western populations.

Conclusion: Significant population-level variations in carotid artery morphometry exist. The Nigerian data are distinct, lacks sex-based difference and significantly lower IMT values. This comparative analysis underscores the critical importance of using population-specific normative data in clinical practice and research to avoid misdiagnosis.

Keywords: Population-Specific Variation, Nigerian Data, Carotid luminal diameter, Carotid intima-media thickness, Duplex ultrasound scan

Keywords: Population-Specific Variation, Nigerian Data, Carotid luminal diameter, Carotid intima-media thickness, Duplex ultrasound scan

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