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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity Cf-PWV to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
Published on: May 3, 2018
Platelet counts are associated with arterial stiffness in Chinese Han population: a longitudinal study
Kuo Liu1,2, Junfeng Xu3, Lixin Tao1,2
1Department of Epidemiology and Health statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai Avenue, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Elevated platelet counts increase brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in individuals with diabetes, suggesting they mediate the link between diabetes and atherosclerosis. This finding aids in preventing diabetic macrovascular complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Diabetes mellitus complications
- Arterial stiffness mechanisms
Background:
- Diabetic atherosclerosis and macrovascular complications pose significant health risks.
- Identifying risk factors for brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is crucial for early intervention.
- Arterial stiffness assessment aids in understanding cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively investigate risk factors for arterial stiffness (baPWV).
- To explore risk factors in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations.
- To elucidate the role of diabetes and specific factors in arterial stiffness progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 5651 individuals undergoing health check-ups.
- Employed Lasso regression for risk factor screening.
- Applied mixed models, multiple linear regressions, and mediation analysis, stratified by diabetes status.
Main Results:
- Postprandial 2-h glucose, systolic blood pressure, and age were associated with baPWV universally.
- Platelet count (PLT), mean corpuscular volume, and coronary heart disease were linked to baPWV in diabetic patients.
- Elevated PLTs significantly increased baPWV and its rate of change in diabetes, acting as a mediator.
Conclusions:
- Elevated platelet counts are a significant risk factor for increased baPWV in diabetes.
- Platelets may mediate the relationship between diabetes and atherosclerosis.
- These findings can inform strategies for preventing diabetic macrovascular complications.
Background:
Determining the risk factors for brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) may help to identify people susceptible to diabetic atherosclerosis and could prevent diabetic macrovascular complications in the early stages. We aim to comprehensively investigate risk factors contributing to arterial stiffness in patients with and without diabetes.
Methods:
BaPWV was measured in 5651 individuals who attended health check-ups at baseline and follow-up. Lasso regression was used to screen for risk factors. Mixed models and multiple linear regressions were subsequently established to evaluate the effect size of the potential risk factors on baPWV and PWV change rates. All analyses were stratified by diabetes. Mediation analysis was also conducted to demonstrate the mechanisms of arterial stiffness in patients with diabetes.
Results:
In lasso regression, postprandial 2-h glucose (P2hG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and age were associated with baPWV regardless of diabetes. Platelet counts (PLT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and coronary heart disease (CHD) were associated with baPWV in patients with diabetes. In the mixed models, PLT were positively associated with baPWV in patients with diabetes (βplatelet, perSD = 25.80; 18.26-33.33). Elevated PLTs could also significantly increase the PWV change rate in patients with diabetes (βplatelet, perSD = 54.05; 10.00-107.10). In mediation analysis, diabetes had a significant average direct effect on baPWV. The average causal mediation effect (ACME) of PLTs was 1.76, with a range of 0.17 to 3.70.
Conclusions:
Elevated PLT counts can increase baPWV in diabetes and are a potential mediator between diabetes and atherosclerosis.
