title: Relationship between vascular age and classic cardiovascular risk factors and arterial stiffness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed at establishing if the substitution of vascular age (VA) for chronological age (CA) causes a change in the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) categories. Sex differences in predictors of increased VA among cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and arterial stiffness (AS) parameters were identifi ed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 187 asymptomatic subjects with CV risk factors, classifi ed into 3 FRS categories the VA was derived from the nomograms of the carotid intima-media thickness. Two groups: 1 - subjects whose VA has exceeded CA for at least 5 years and 2 - others were established. Carotid AS parameters were obtained from echo-tracking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Substitution of VA for CA changed the FRS category into the higher one in 11.8% of subjects. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the predictor of increased VA in both sexes, while metabolic syndrome (MS) only in women. The cut-off values of AS parameters that allow for prediction of increased VA were determined from the ROC-curve analysis - in men: b > 7.3, Ep > 103 kPa, AC < 0.61 mm2/kPa after adjustment for DM, BMI > 29.1 kg/m2, WHR > 0.85 and CA > 51 years; in women: b > 9.6, Ep > 126 kPa, AC < 0.75 mm2/kPa, PWV-b > 7.4 m/s after adjustment for DM, BMI > 25.8 kg/m2, WHR > 0.80 and CA > 60 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The substitution of VA for CA may increase the FRS category. Sex differences in predictors of increased VA were identifi ed. AS parameters proved to be predictors of increased VA besides the classic risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, T. Marciniak Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland. marialoboz@o2.pl.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Łoboz-Rudnicka
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaroch
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bociąga
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kruszyńska
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ciecierzyńska
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dziuba
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dudek
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Uchmanowicz
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Łoboz-Grudzień
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness