Arterial Stiffness: Determinants and Relationship to the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate independent determinants of arterial stiffness and evaluate the association of arterial stiffness with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS). Demographic characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were assessed in Greek food industry employees with no history of diabetes or CV disease in order to isolate multiple correlates of arterial stiffness as assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was performed using as end point the presence of MS, defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program. Data from 424 participants (mean age 45.3 ∓15.5 years, 298 [70.3%] males, average PWV 8.5 ∓3.6 m/s) were analyzed. PWV was higher in men (8.8 ∓3.1 m/s) compared to women (7.7 ∓2.9 m/s, p<0.01). Age, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate were isolated as multivariate determinants of PWV (adjusted R² 0.511 [p<0.0001] in men and 0.538 [p<0.0001] in women). The overall prevalence of the MS was 14.6%, being similar in both genders. Four variables were shown to be independent predictors of the presence of MS: waist circumference >102 cm (men)/88 cm (women) (OR 8.6, [95% CI 2.8, 20.6], p<0.001), insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment >4) (6.3, [2.1, 17.6], p<0.001), total cholesterol >240 mg/dL (5.5, [1.7, 12.4], p<0.01), PWV >9 m/s (4.1, [1.5, 9.9], p<0.01). High PWV, which was found to be mostly determined by advanced age, elevated systolic BP, and accelerated heart rate, appeared to exhibit a strong independent association with the presence of MS together with adiposity and insulin resistance. This index should be considered as a useful marker for CV risk stratification.