P2.18 IMPACT OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS ON CAROTID STIFFNESS AND CAROTID INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS – GENDER DIFFERENCES

Abstract

Background and purpose: Whether the influence of risk factors on carotid stiffness (CS) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is modulated by gender is still unclear. The aim of our study was to examine the association between cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, CS and CIMT in men and women. Material and methods: 252 subjects (including 132 women), mean age: 55 years, with CV risk factors and without the history of manifest CV disease underwent the examination of CS parameters and CIMT. The following CS parameters: beta stiffness index (beta), Peterson’s elastic modulus (Ep), one-point pulse wave velocity (PWV-beta) and arterial compliance (AC) were measured with the use of the high-resolution echotracking system. Results: The multivariate analysis revealed that age, diabetes and MAP were independent determinants of CS parameters in both men and women. Pulse pressure (PP) was significantly associated with beta (β coefficient +0,261, p=0,006), Ep (β coefficient +0,426, p<0,001) and PWV-beta (β coefficient +0,283, p=0,007) only in women. Of the risk factors significantly associated with CIMT in the multivariate analysis, age was an independent determinant of CIMT in both sexes, while PP (β coefficient +0,317, p=0,014) and increased waist circumference (β coefficient +0,207, p=0,048) only in women. Conclusions: The influence of CV risk factors on CS and CIMT is modulated by gender. The impact of the pulsatile component of blood pressure on CS and CIMT and of the increased waist circumference on CIMT seems to be more prominent in women than in men.