title: Central and peripheral fat and subclinical vascular damage in older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fat distribution and arterial compliance in a group of elderly women, in particular to test a possible independent role of abdominal fat mass and peripheral fat mass on subclinical vascular damage, defined by a pulse wave velocity (PWV) >12 m/s.
  
  
  METHODS
  in 96 women with age range 60-80 years (68.65 ± 4.98 years) and BMI range from 18.8 to 41.2 kg/m(2) (27.07 ± 4.61 kg/m(2)), we evaluated the body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral (PWVcf) and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWVcr).
  
  
  RESULTS
  significant associations were found between PWVcf, age, waist circumference, BMI and trunk fat assessed by DXA, as well as TG and HDL cholesterol. After adjustment for the total fat mass a negative statistically significant association between PWVcf and leg fat mass was shown. In multiple regression analyses the mean arterial pressure, trunk fat mass and leg fat mass were significant predictors of vascular damage with OR, respectively, of 1.06 (CI: 1.01-1.11), 1.25 (CI: 1.06-1.48) and 0.73 (CI: 0.53-0.99).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the results of this study show, in a sample of apparently healthy elderly women, that central and peripheral adiposity are independent predictors, with an opposite effect on subclinical vascular damage, confirming and strengthening the protective role of the gluteal-femoral fat on cardiovascular risk even in elderly.
authors: Department of Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, University of Verona, Piazzale Stefani 1 Ospedale Civile Maggiore, Osp Geriatrico 6 Piano Lato Mameli, 37100 Verona, Italy. francesco.fantin@univr.it
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Fantin
authors: Andrea P
authors: AP
authors: Rossi
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Cazzadori
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Comellato
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Mazzali
authors: Maria Paola
authors: MP
authors: Gozzoli
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Grison
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Zamboni
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050154:Adiposity; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids