The association between carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity and lung function in the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage study (SCAPIS) cohort

Background Arterial ageing is characterised by degradation of elastic fibres and increased stiffness of elastic arteries. Although low lung function and arterial stiffness are strongly related to age, the association between lung function and arterial ageing has not been widely explored. We used a large population-based study of 50–64 year olds to assess the association between lung function (measured by spirometry and CO diffusing capacity (D LCO )) and arterial stiffness (measured by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (c-f PWV)). Methods Participants from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) cohort with information on spirometry (n = 8941) and D LCO (n = 8616) were included. General linear models (lung function quartiles) and linear regression was used to determine the association between lung function and c-f PWV. Results FEV 1 (L), FVC (L), D LCO (mmol/(min kPa)) and D LCO /V A (mmol/(min kPa L)) were significantly and inversely associated with c-f PWV after adjustments; mean PWV (m/s) in Q1 (highest lung function) vs Q4: FEV 1 ; 8.45 vs 8.60, p-value 0.001; FVC; 8.45 vs 8.57, p-value 0.018; D LCO ; 8.46 vs 8.60, p-value 0.002; and D LCO /V A ; 8.47 vs 8.58, p-value 0.001. In sex-stratified analyses, significant findings were reflected for FEV 1 and D LCO in men only. The results remained significant for D LCO in all never smokers and in all participants without COPD or airflow limitation on spirometry. Conclusions A reduction in spirometry and D LCO is associated with elevated arterial stiffness in middle-aged men. A reduction in D LCO is associated with higher c-f PWV even in never smokers and in those without COPD or airflow limitation on spirometry.