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Association Between Arterial Stiffness and Skin Microvascular Function: The SUVIMAX2 Study and The Maastricht Study
Thomas T van Sloten, Sébastien Czernichow, Alfons J Houben1
1Department of Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands;
American Journal of Hypertension
|December 20, 2014
Summary
Arterial stiffness does not appear to cause generalized microvascular dysfunction, even in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study found no association between arterial stiffness and skin microvascular function markers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Microvascular Medicine
- Diabetes Research
Background:
- Arterial stiffness is hypothesized to cause generalized microvascular dysfunction.
- Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may be more susceptible to arterial stiffness effects.
- Evidence linking arterial stiffness to generalized microvascular dysfunction markers is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between arterial stiffness and skin microvascular function.
- To determine if this association differs in individuals with and without T2DM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cross-sectional data from The SUVIMAX2 and The Maastricht Study.
- Assessed arterial stiffness using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV).
- Evaluated skin microvascular function via capillaroscopy and Laser Doppler flowmetry.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between cfPWV and skin microvascular function markers (capillary density, vasoreactivity, flowmotion) in either study.
- Results remained consistent after adjusting for age, sex, and other confounders.
- Findings were similar in individuals with and without T2DM.
Conclusions:
- Arterial stiffness is not associated with skin microvascular function.
- This lack of association holds true regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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