A waist-to-height ratio ≥0.5 was significantly associated with asymptomatic carotid plaque independently of SCORE2/2-OP risk (OR 1.570; 95% CI 1.109-2.256; p=0.0126).
Cross-Sectional (n=1,068)
Are anthropometric parameters, specifically waist-to-height ratio, associated with the presence of asymptomatic carotid plaque independently of standard cardiovascular risk factors?
Waist-to-height ratio ≥0.5 is an independent predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in primary prevention, outperforming BMI and waist circumference.
Odds Ratio: 1.57 (95% CI 1.109–2.256)
p-value: p=0.0126
Abstract Introduction Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Current CV risk estimation primarily relies on conventional factors integrated into risk algorithms such as SCORE2/2-OP, which, however, have several limitations, as they do not account for anthropometric parameters. Nevertheless, abdominal obesity is a well-established CV risk factor. In this context, our study aimed to explore the association between anthropometric parameters, taking into account the distribution of adipose tissue, and subclinical atherosclerosis (presence of carotid plaque) in addition to standard CV risk factors. Methods We analysed a subgroup of 1,068 asymptomatic, non-diabetic, and non-chronic kidney disease participants (median age 55.8 51.0–60.0, 596 females, 56%) from the CV-Prevital (Primary Cardiovascular Prevention in the Italian Population) study, all of whom underwent carotid ultrasonography. We performed a logistic regression between anthropometric measures (BMI ≥30 kg/m², waist circumference ≥102 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women, and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) ≥0.5) and carotid plaque presence, adjusting for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, expressed through SCORE2/2-OP. Results The prevalence of carotid plaque was similar across SCORE2 risk categories—20%, 18%, and 18% in the low–moderate, high, and very-high-risk groups, respectively (p=0.760, Figure). Neither BMI ≥30 kg/m² (OR 0.808 0.513–1.234, p=0.339) nor waist circumference ≥102 cm in men and ≥88 cm in women (OR 1.125 0.815–1.545, p=0.469) were associated with carotid plaque. However, a WtHR ≥0.5 emerged as the only parameter significantly associated with carotid plaque, even after adjustment for SCORE2/2-OP (OR 1.570 1.109–2.256, p=0.0126). Conclusions Among anthropometric parameters, in a cohort of middle-aged and older adults (45–80 years) in primary prevention, only WtHR ≥0.5, that defines abdominal obesity, was associated with asymptomatic carotid plaque, independently of SCORE2/2-OP. Therefore, WtHR could be used in clinical practice both to easily identify individuals at increased CV risk and as a target for lifestyle and therapeutic recommendations
Guida et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Subclinical atherosclerosis in primary prevention (n=1,068). Waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) ≥0.5 vs. Waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) <0.5 was evaluated on Presence of carotid plaque (OR 1.570, 95% CI 1.109-2.256, p=0.0126). A waist-to-height ratio ≥0.5 was significantly associated with asymptomatic carotid plaque independently of SCORE2/2-OP risk (OR 1.570; 95% CI 1.109-2.256; p=0.0126).
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