Impaired endothelial function in adolescents with overweight or obesity measured by peripheral artery tonometry

Overweight and obesity in adolescents are associated with a subsequent increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The reactive hyperemia-peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) is a non-invasive method for endothelial function assessment.

The goal of this study is to investigate endothelial function as assessed with the RH-PAT in adolescents with overweight or obesity.

In 27 adolescents with overweight or obesity (16 males, 11 females) and 25 control subjects (12 males, 13 females) (age 12-20 yr) RH-PAT score and baseline pulse amplitude were measured after an overnight fast. Confounding risk factors for endothelial dysfunction, including smoking and diabetes mellitus were excluded.

RH-PAT score was lower in adolescents with overweight or obesity compared to healthy controls, whereas their baseline pulse amplitude was higher (p = 0.027 and p < 0.0001, respectively). A significantly positive correlation was seen between baseline pulse amplitude and body mass index standard deviation score in the group with overweight or obese subjects.

Endothelial dysfunction, measured by lower RH-PAT score and higher baseline pulse amplitude, was present in overweight adolescents. Interestingly, we also report for the first time in the literature a significant difference in baseline pulse amplitude between overweight adolescents compared to their peers.