Skin tissue cholesterol (SkinTc) is related to angiographically-defined cardiovascular disease.
Parallel changes associated with aging found in the vasculature and skin at necropsy, have prompted small preliminary studies to assess the relation between skin tissue cholesterol (SkinTc) and cardiovascular disease. While these studies have been suggestive, no formal investigation is available to test this association. It would, therefore, be valuable to determine whether a relation between SkinTc and angiographic narrowing actually exists, the latter representing one accepted measurement of coronary atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Patients at three hospitals undergoing coronary angiography and not on lipid altering agents (n = 649) were examined for skinTc using a non-invasive method. Vessels were evaluated manually (number with stenosis > or = 50%). Clinical characteristics, current medication use, and Framingham global risk score were recorded.


RESULTS
SkinTc was significantly higher in patients with angiographic disease (124 +/- 30 vs. 118 +/- 30, P = 0.02). After adjustment for traditional coronary artery disease risk factors, SkinTc provided 7% additional risk (per 10 SkinTc units) for angiographic disease.


CONCLUSIONS
SkinTc, measured with a non-invasive method, is associated with the presence of coronary artery disease as determined by catheterization. Such an assay may eventually help stratify patient risk and target prevention efforts.
Sprecher
Dennis L
DL
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Rehabilitation, Section of Preventive Cardiology, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk C51, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Dennis.L.Sprecher@gsk.com
Goodman
Shaun G
SG
Kannampuzha
Paul
P
Pearce
Gregory L
GL
Langer
Anatoly
A
D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012882:Skin Tests
D002784:Cholesterol