title: Lung function is associated with arterial stiffness in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In older adults, an independent association exists between impaired lung function and cardiovascular disease. This interaction might be related to the effects of aging and/or smoking. In order to explore possible childhood antecedents to this association, we hypothesized that decreased lung function and vascular stiffness might be related, in early life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationship between lung function and carotid augmentation index (AIx), a measure of vascular stiffness, in 8-year old children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on brachial blood pressure, lung function (FEV(1), FVC, FEV(1)/FVC, obtained by spirometry) and carotid AIx75 (AIx standardised to an arbitrary heart rate of 75 beats per minute, obtained by applanation tonometry) was available in 249 community-based 8-year old children. These healthy children had been subjects in a randomised controlled trial of two interventions (omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and house-dust mite avoidance) to prevent asthma. Smoking in pregnancy and childhood environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure was prospectively collected by questionnaire. The association between lung function and carotid AIx75 was assessed in multivariate models that included sex, height, smoking status during pregnancy, ETS exposure and randomisation groups (house dust mite avoidance and dietary intervention) as covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the fully adjusted models, Carotid AIx75 was independently associated with FEV1 (standardised β = -0.17,b = -6.72, partial R(2) = .02, p = 0.03), FVC (standardised β = -0.29, b = -9.31, partial R(2) = 0.04, p<0.001) and FEV1/FVC (standardised β = .13, b = 18.4, partial R(2) = 0.02, p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower lung volumes are associated with increased vascular stiffness at an early age. The interaction between lung function and vascular stiffness may thus represent more than just age-related alterations in both the pulmonary and vascular systems.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia. juliana@chw.edu.au
authors: Julian G
authors: JG
authors: Ayer
authors: Elena G
authors: EG
authors: Belousova
authors: Jason A
authors: JA
authors: Harmer
authors: Brett
authors: B
authors: Toelle
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Celermajer
authors: Guy B
authors: GB
authors: Marks
mesh_terms: D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution