1.2 HOW DOES OBESITY INFLUENCE ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN ASYMPTOMATIC ADULTS?

Abstract

Central obesity is an important cause of cardiovascular disease. It’s well-known that aortic pulse wave velocity (aoPWV) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events. However the potential correlation between fat accumulation and increased arterial stiffness is poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the association between obesity and aortic stiffness in normotensive adults. Patients and methods: AoPWV was assessed in apparently healthy, asymptomatic patient population using an invasively validated oscillometric device (TensioMed Arteriograph). AoPWV-values were stratified according to their BMI-values into three categories: normal weight (BMI<25), overweight (BMI: 25–30) and obese (BMI>30). Data are reported as mean and SD for continuous variables. For data comparison, a Student’s t-test was used with a significance level of 0.05. Statistical analysis was carried out with IBM SPSS 20 statistical software. Results: 9076 normotensive individuals (3749 male – 41.3%, and 5327 female – 58.7%) without any antihypertensive, antidiabetic or antilipemic medication were included into the analysis with a mean age of 48.2±14.1 yrs. 4374 individuals were lean (48%), 3346 were overweight (37%) and 1353 were obese (15%) according to BMI-values. Mean aoPWV of lean subjects was significantly better than overweight or obese individuals (8.6±2.41 m/s, 9.3±2.43 m/s ill. 9.8±2.52 m/s respectively p<0.05). Conclusions: This is the first population-based study to report the effect of weight on vascular stiffness measured by oscillometric method in adults with wide age range. Our results confirmed that overweight and obesity are major determinants of arterial stiffness. The revealed association suggests that weight gain begins to influence on the vascular system at a very early stage of vascular aging. Nevertheless the effect of weight loss on arterial function needs to be further investigated.