title: Endothelial dysfunction evaluated by flow mediated dilation is strongly associated to metabolic syndrome in the elderly.
abstract: This study was carried out to assess whether endothelial dysfunction, evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), is related to the occurrence of the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in old age. Eighty patients (25 men and 55 women), mean age 74.1±7.4 years (range 65-99 yrs) were studied. Information on all subjects, medical history and regular medications was obtained. Subjects underwent a clinical examination and laboratory tests. The presence of MetS was evaluated according to the revised NCEP-ATP III criteria. An ultrasound vascular examination (US) of the carotid and brachial arteries was performed in all patients. Intima-media thickness (IMT), presence of plaques (PL), endothelium-dependent (EDV) and -independent vasodilation (EIDV) were also evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence/absence of MetS. Significant differences were found between MetS and non MetS patients in: EDV (p<0.01), EIDV (p<0.05) and Homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA) (p<0.02), but not in IMT or PL. MetS was significantly associated with FMD reduction (R 0.4, p<0.005) independently of all possible confounding factors other than EIDV, IMT and PL.
authors: Internal Medicine Department, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: de Matthaeis
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Greco
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Serviddio
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Stramaglia
authors: Gianluigi
authors: G
authors: Vendemiale
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation