Abstract: Objective　To explore the risk factors of carotid plaques in middle-aged and old women, and to analyze the factors affecting the occurrence and stability of plaque. Methods　From March 2016 to March 2018, middle-aged and old women aged 45-80 years old were selected from the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University.Carotid artery ultrasonography was performed to observe the intima-media thickness and plaque characteristics. According to the presence or absence of plaque, the patients were divided into plaque group (n=403) and non plaque group (n=551). According to the characteristics of plaque, patients with plaque were divided into two groups: stable plaque group (n=305) and unstable plaque group (n=98). The clinical data, laboratory test results and carotid ultrasound results were collected. The influencing factors of carotid plaque formation were analyzed. Results　A total of 954 middle-aged and elderly women were included in this study, with an average of (62.24±13.24) years old. Compared with non plaque group, age, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher in plaque group (P＜0.05). Logistic regression analysis found that age, LDL-C and menopause were independent risk factors of carotid plaque formation in middle-aged and elderly women. LDL-C was significantly lower in stable plaque group than that in unstable plaque group (P＜0.05). Analysis showed that the higher LDL-C was an independent risk factor for plaque stability. Conclusion　Age, LDL-C and menopause are related to the occurrence of carotid plaques in middle-aged and old women, and LDL-C level affects the stability of carotid plaques.

Key words: plaque, atherosclerotic, ultrasonography, carotid intima-media thickness, lipoproteins, LDL, risk factors, menopause