ABO Blood Groups, RhD Factor and Their Association with Subclinical Atherosclerosis Assessed by Carotid...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Genetics
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• The ABO blood group system is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, with non-O groups showing higher risk.
• Few studies examine both ABO and RhD blood groups in relation to early atherosclerotic disease.
• Subclinical atherosclerosis assessment in healthy populations requires further investigation regarding blood group associations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between ABO and RhD blood groups and subclinical atherosclerosis.
• To determine if blood groups influence early signs of atherosclerosis in a healthy cohort.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 3532 participants in the VIPVIZA trial.
• Assessed subclinical atherosclerosis using carotid ultrasonography.
• Obtained blood group information from the SCANDAT-3 database.

Main Results:

• RhD- individuals at age 40 exhibited increased carotid intima-media thickness compared to RhD+ individuals.
• No significant ABO blood group differences were observed in the overall study population's ultrasonography results.
• Among 60-year-olds with a family history of CVD, non-O blood groups showed reduced odds of carotid plaques.

Conclusions:

• The RhD blood group is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in younger individuals, suggesting a role in the atherosclerotic process.
• A non-O blood group was linked to decreased subclinical atherosclerosis in 60-year-olds with a family history of CVD, a group with high atherosclerotic burden.