title: Effects of lifestyle modification on central artery stiffness in metabolic syndrome subjects with pre-hypertension and/or pre-diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of a 24-week lifestyle intervention prescribed by family doctors on carotid artery stiffness in metabolic syndrome (MS) subjects with pre-hypertension and/or pre-diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three middle-aged and older subjects with pre-hypertension and/or pre-diabetes were divided into subjects without MS (MS-) and with MS (MS+). MS components and carotid artery stiffness by ultrasound were determined at baseline, at 8 weeks, and following the 24 weeks of lifestyle intervention. Family doctors prescribed an individually customized lifestyle prescription for aerobic exercise and Mediterranean-style diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carotid artery distensibility significantly increased in MS+ following the 24 weeks of intervention compared with baseline (0.191+/-0.012 vs. 0.143+/-0.011, 1/mmHg x 10(-2), p<0.05). Similarly, beta stiffness index decreased in MS+ following the 24 weeks of intervention (9.8+/-1.1 vs. 12.5+/-1.1 AU, p<0.05). Following the intervention, waist circumference, BP and fasting glucose levels reduced in MS+ (all p<0.05), and 13 MS+ subjects were free from MS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show the reduction of carotid artery stiffness and the improvement of some MS components in MS subjects, suggesting a favorable effect of our lifestyle modification strategy on central artery stiffness as well as MS components in MS subjects.
authors.affiliation: Aging, Rehabilitation & Geriatric Care Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute at Parkwood Hospital, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aizawa
authors.forename: J Kevin
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Shoemaker
authors.forename: Tom J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Overend
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Petrella
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002200:Capillary Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior