Is apolipoprotein E polymorphism associated with segment-specific extracranial carotid artery intima-media thickening?
ApoE polymorphism is associated with segment specific carotid IMT. The association of apoE with carotid IMT was statistically independent of apoE-associated variation in LDL cholesterol levels.
We found that there is clearly a significant overuse of staging investigations for both these groups while the incidence of metastases identified was very low. This is likely to have a significant impact on the waiting time for scans and lead to substantial waste of resources. It places unnecessary financial burden on the patients and the healthcare system. There are also issues of increased radiation and contrast exposure, and potentially unnecessary further investigations.