title: Pedometer-determined physical activity is linked to low systemic inflammation and low arterial stiffness in Type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the association between pedometer-determined physical activity versus measures of obesity, inflammatory markers and arterial stiffness in people with Type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed data from 224 men and 103 women with Type 2 diabetes, aged 54-66 years. Physical activity was measured with waist-mounted pedometers during three consecutive days and the number of steps/day were calculated and classified in four groups: < 5000 steps/day, 5000-7499 steps/day, 7500-9999 steps/day and ≥ 10000 steps/day. Blood samples were analysed for lipids, HbA(1c), inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. Nurses measured blood pressure and anthropometrics. Aortic pulse wave velocity was measured with applanation tonometry over the carotid and femoral arteries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean steps/day was 7683 ± 3883 (median 7222, interquartile range 4869-10,343). There were no differences in age, diabetes duration, blood pressure, lipids or glycaemic control between the four groups of pedometer-determined physical activity. Subjects with higher steps/day had lower BMI (28.8 vs. 31.5 kg/m(2), P < 0.001), waist circumference (101.7 vs. 108.0 cm, P < 0.001), lower levels of C-reactive protein (1.6 vs. 2.6 mg/l, P = 0.007), lower levels of interleukin-6 (1.9 vs. 3.8 pg ml, P < 0.001) and lower pulse wave velocity (10.2 vs. 11.0 m/s, P = 0.009) compared with less physically active people.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that physical activity measured with pedometer was associated not only with less abdominal obesity, but also with decreased systemic low-grade inflammation as well as with low arterial stiffness, in people with Type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. par.jennersjo@liu.se
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jennersjö
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ludvigsson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Länne
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Nystrom
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ernerudh
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Östgren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D013548:Sweden; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein