Midterm comprehensive cardiovascular assessment of patients with Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) causes coronary artery aneurysms (CAA), which require healthy lifestyle prevention.

We conducted a cross-sectional study examining anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, nutrient intake, and physical activity profile in a cohort of KD patients with CAA (KD-A) or without CAA (KD-N). Age-adjusted anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers from blood tests, 3-month food frequency, and standardized physical activity habits were collected 5-10 years after KD.

This included 9 KD-A patients, 39 KD-N patients, and 27 controls (CTL). The prevalence of overweight or obesity was significantly higher in KD-A patients compared to KD-N and to CTL (respectively 33.3% and 22.2%, versus 15.5% and 20.5%, compared to 7.0% and 7.0% in CTL; p = 0.002). KD-A patients had higher CRP compared to KD-N (1.34 ± 1.29 mg/L vs. 0.65 ± 0.91 mg/L; p = 0.047), compared to CTL (0.68 ± 1.11 mg/L). KD-A and KD-N, respectively, consume an excess of total lipids in 22% and 42%, an excess of saturated fatty acids in 67% and 84%, and an excess of total sugars in 67% and 61%. KD-A spend less than 30 min a day doing physical activity compared to KD-N in 62% and 22%, respectively, and only 13% of KD-A but 45% of KD-N spend more than 60 min a day on physical activity.

A deviation from a healthy lifestyle is present in KD patients 5-10 years following their diagnosis and treatment, making them susceptible to developing significant cardiac complications. Hence, the importance of implementing healthy lifestyle guidelines, adapting those to the socioeconomic context, with specific recommendations regarding the cardiovascular risks of these young patients.