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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
Sex-specific association between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and extensive abdominal aortic
Yuyu Niu1, Guifang Wang1, Xianjun Feng1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First People's Hospital of Xinxiang and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
Insights
The monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is linked to extensive abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in women. This simple MHR marker may help identify women at higher risk for this atherosclerosis complication.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is emerging as a potential marker for atherosclerosis.
- Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a direct manifestation of vascular atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MHR and prevalent extensive AAC.
- To assess the utility of MHR in identifying prevalent extensive AAC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2857 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014).
- AAC detection and quantification using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and Kauppila score.
- Statistical analysis including logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, and ROC analysis.
Main Results:
- A significant linear association was found between MHR and extensive AAC in females, with higher MHR correlating to increased risk.
- Each standard deviation increase in MHR was associated with an 87.3% increased risk of extensive AAC in females.
- MHR improved the identification of extensive AAC when added to established risk factors in females (AUC 0.808 vs. 0.864).
- No significant association was observed between MHR and extensive AAC in males.
Conclusions:
- MHR demonstrates a linear association with prevalent extensive AAC specifically in females.
- MHR shows potential as a valuable tool to refine the identification of extensive AAC in the female population.
Abstract:
Recent studies have identified monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) as a simple marker of atherosclerosis. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a direct result of vascular atherosclerosis. Our study aims to investigate the association between MHR and the prevalent extensive AAC and assess the value of MHR for identifying prevalent extensive AAC. 2857 subjects (28.07%) from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014 were included in our study. AAC was detected through dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and quantified by Kauppila score. Extensive AAC was identified in 153 (10.44% of 1465) females and 146 (10.49% of 1392) males. With the full adjustment, each SD increase of MHR resulted in an 87.3% additional risk for extensive AAC in females. When dividing into quartiles, the top quartile had a 3.472 times risk of prevalent extensive AAC than the bottom quartile. However, no significant association was observed in males. Furthermore, smooth curve fitting implicated that the significant association was linear in the whole range of MHR among females. Additionally, ROC demonstrated an improvement in the identification of extensive AAC only among females when introducing MHR into established risk factors of atherosclerosis (0.808 vs. 0.864, p < 0.001). Finally, category-free net reclassification index and integrated discrimination index also supported the improvement by MHR in females. Our study revealed a linear association between MHR and prevalent extensive AAC in females. Moreover, our results implicated the potential value of MHR to refine the identification of prevalent extensive AAC in females.
