J Agric Med Community Health.
2011 Jun;36(2):101-112.
Cross-Sectional Relations of Arterial Stiffness and Inflammatory Markers in Korean Adults Aged 50 Years and Older
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Korea.
- 2Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Korea. ujingogo@paran.com
- 3Department of Preventive Medicine, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Korea.
- 4Department of Preventive Medicine, Seonam University College of Medicine, Korea.
- 5Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungnam National University Medical School, Korea.
- 6Department of Neurology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Korea.
- 7Jeonnam Regional Cancer Center, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to determine arterial stiffness levels as measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and to identify the association between arterial stiffness and inflammatory markers, in healthy adults over 50 years old.
METHODS
The study population consisted of 4617 persons over the age of 50 years who participated in the baseline survey of the Dong-gu Study, which was conducted in 2007 and 2008. Arterial stiffness was measured using baPWV. A multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between conventional cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers, including white blood cell (WBC) counts, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT).
RESULTS
After adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors including sex, age, smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, hypertension or diabetic medication, total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and alanine aminotransferase, baPWV was significantly associated with WBC counts (beta=0.158, p<0.0001), hs-CRP (beta=0.244, p=0.026), and GGT (beta=0.003, p<0.0001).
CONCLUSION
This study shows that arterial stiffness correlates with inflammatory markers. Arterial stiffness may be used as a composite risk factor to identify persons with higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, arterial stiffness may be a marker for future cardiovascular disease and a target for prevention.