Lower FEV1 (OR 1.76) and reduced endothelial function (OR 1.30) were mutually independent predictors of atherosclerosis, and endothelial dysfunction did not mediate the association between airflow limitation and atherosclerosis.
Cross-Sectional (n=559)
No
Does systemic endothelial dysfunction mediate the association between reduced FEV1 and increased atherosclerosis?
Airflow limitation and endothelial dysfunction are independent, unrelated predictors of atherosclerosis, suggesting that endothelial dysfunction does not mediate the link between reduced lung function and cardiovascular disease.
Odds Ratio: 1.76 (95% CI 1.3–2.4)
p-value: p=<0.001
RATIONALE: Lower FEV1 is associated with increased prevalence of atherosclerosis; however, causal mechanisms remain elusive. OBJECTIVES: To determine if systemic endothelial dysfunction mediates the association between reduced FEV1 and increased atherosclerosis. METHODS: Brachial artery endothelial function, pulmonary function, coronary artery calcium, and carotid plaque were assessed in 231 Pittsburgh SCCOR (Specialized Centers for Clinically Oriented Research) study participants; peripheral arterial endothelial function, pulmonary function, and coronary artery calcium were assessed in 328 HeartSCORE (Heart Strategies Concentrating on Risk Evaluation) study participants. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Lower FEV1 was independently associated with increased atherosclerosis in both cohorts (per 25% lower % predicted FEV1: odds ratio OR, 1.76; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.30-2.40; P 0.05). Adjusting the association between FEV1 and atherosclerosis for endothelial dysfunction had no impact. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial dysfunction does not mediate the association between airflow limitation and atherosclerosis. Instead, airflow limitation and endothelial dysfunction seem to be unrelated and mutually independent predictors of atherosclerosis.
Chandra et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Atherosclerosis (n=559). Lower FEV1 vs. Higher FEV1 was evaluated on Carotid plaque (per 25% lower % predicted FEV1 in SCCOR cohort) (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.30-2.40, p=<0.001). Lower FEV1 (OR 1.76) and reduced endothelial function (OR 1.30) were mutually independent predictors of atherosclerosis, and endothelial dysfunction did not mediate the association between airflow limitation and atherosclerosis.