Correlation between the Framingham risk score and intima media thickness: the Paroi Artérielle et Risque
Pierre-Jean Touboul1, Eric Vicaut, Julien Labreuche
1Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Bichat Claude Bernard University Hospital and Medical School, Denis Diderot University-Paris VII, Paris, France. pjtw@noos.fr <pjtw@noos.fr>
Insights
Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) significantly correlates with the Framingham cardiovascular risk score. However, this measure of arterial health explains only a small portion of the overall cardiovascular risk in large populations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a marker for cardiovascular disease risk.
- The relationship between IMT and absolute cardiovascular risk is not well-established in large populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between the Framingham cardiovascular risk score and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT).
- To assess the relationship between conventional cardiovascular risk assessment and arterial wall measurements.
Main Methods:
- The Paroi Artérielle et Risque Cardio-vasculaire (PARC) study involved 6416 subjects.
- Standardized B-mode ultrasound was used for CCAIMT measurements.
- Linear and polynomial regression models analyzed the relationship between CCAIMT and Framingham scores.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between CCAIMT and all components of the Framingham score (p < 0.005).
- The relationship between Framingham score and CCAIMT was non-linear, with R2 values ranging from 19% to 29%.
- The correlation was steeper in younger individuals when analyzed by decade.
Conclusions:
- The Framingham score and CCAIMT are significantly correlated.
- CCAIMT variations explain only a modest part of the Framingham score, and vice versa.
Aims:
Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) is associated with an increased risk of cardio-vascular events, but its correlation with the absolute cardio-vascular risk is not well known in large populations. The Paroi Artérielle et Risque Cardio-vasculaire (PARC) study was designed to evaluate the relationship between conventional assessment of the global cardio-vascular risk by means of the Framimgham score and measurement of IMT of the common carotid artery (CCAIMT).
Methods And Results:
About 246 French cardiologists selected 6416 subjects. CCAIMT measurements were performed using a specific methodology designed to harmonize the acquisition and processing of B-mode ultrasound images. The Framingham cardio-vascular score was determined for each individual. The relationship between CCAIMT and Framingham scores was evaluated using linear or polynomial models of regression. We found a significant correlation between CCAIMT and all components of the Framingham score (p < 0.005 for all parameters). The Framingham score and CCAIMT values were non-linearly related (coefficients of determination R2 were 19% and 20% in men, 28% and 29% in women, for subjects with and without personal history of cardio-vascular disease, respectively). The younger the subjects, the steeper the relationship, when the analysis was performed according to decades.
Conclusions:
The Framingham score and CCAIMT values were significantly correlated. However variations in CCAIMT only explained a modest part of the Framingham score and vice versa.
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