EFFECT OF THE METABOLIC SYNDROME ON ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN A KOREAN POPULATION.

Abstract

Objective: Pulse wave velocity(PWV), a marker of arterial stifffness is reported to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Recently, metabolic syndrome is a paramount challenge of public health. This study examined the association of the metabolic syndrome with PWV in a population study. Design and Methods : 220 healthy subjects of age between 41 and 85 were examined for PWV and the parameters of metabolic syndrome. Cases with overt diabetes and measurement error of PWV(n=13) were excluded. Obesity was assessed by both body mass index and abdominal circumference. PWV was regarded as abnormal if higher than 1600cm/s. Results: 1) In a multiple linear regression model for PWV, triglyceride(β=0.09, p=0.04), total cholesterol(β=0.12, p=0.01), and abdominal circumference(β=-0.09, p=0.05) or body mass index(β=-0.14, p=0.005) were independent of age(β=0.38, p=0.001) and systolic blood pressure(β=0.51, p=0.001). 2) In a multiple logistic regression model for PWV1600, only triglyceride is the factor independent of age and systolic blood pressure. The presence of metabolic syndrome was not associated with abnormal PWV. 3) In the high PWV group(n=135), triglyceride level(130.3 ± 63.2 vs 163.2 ± 86.9mg/dL , p=0.003) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome(38% vs 24%, p=0.03) were higher than normal PWV group(n=72). Body mass index was lower in abnormal PWV group(24.1 ± 3.6 vs 23.1 ± 2.7 kg/m, p=0.02). Conclusions: In a population-based study, triglyceride level as an indicator of metabolic abnormality is a significant contributor of PWV even though PWV is mainly determined by age and systolic blood pressure. For the criteria of metabolic sysndrome, especially for the criteria of obesity needs further study.