Longitudinal Associations Between Metabolic Risk Burden and the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) in Japan Using...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Health
• Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

• Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a blood pressure-independent marker of arterial stiffness.
• Limited longitudinal data exist on the relative impact of metabolic risk factors on CAVI progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal associations between metabolic abnormalities and CAVI in a Japanese population.
• To focus on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and waist circumference (WC) status.

Main Methods:

• Included 13,724 adults undergoing annual health check-ups.
• Utilized linear mixed-effects models to assess longitudinal CAVI changes based on MetS components (blood pressure, glucose, lipids, WC).
• Conducted secondary analyses by MetS status, WC strata, metabolic risk count, and sex.

Main Results:

• Older age and male sex were associated with higher CAVI.
• Blood pressure and glucose abnormalities showed the strongest link to elevated CAVI; lipids had a modest effect, and WC was inversely associated.
• CAVI increased annually, but slower in those with blood pressure risk; baseline CAVI indicated cumulative vascular injury.

Conclusions:

• Blood pressure and glucose abnormalities are key drivers of longitudinal CAVI changes.
• CAVI can identify individuals, particularly non-obese women, with elevated vascular risk, complementing waist circumference screening.