title: Overweightness, obesity and arterial stiffness in healthy subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between overweightness, obesity and arterial stiffness remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis evaluating the impact of obesity/overweightness on arterial stiffness in healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature searches were conducted using databases (eg, MEDLINE, EMBASE) and citations cross-referenced. Studies evaluating the relationship between obesity/overweightness and cfPWV, baPWV, and AIx were systematically searched. A total of 10 studies (1,124 obese/overweight subjects, 1,884 controls) were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to controls, obese/overweight subjects showed a significantly higher cfPWV (SMD 0.50 m/s; 95%CI 0.15, 0.86; P = 0.005), baPWV (SMD 0.41 m/s; 95% CI 0.08, 0.74; P = 0.014), and AIx (SMD 1.02；95%CI 0.16, 1.87; P < 0.0001). When analyzing 'high quality' studies, the difference in arterial stiffness among obese/overweight subjects and controls remain (SMD 0.73 m/s; 95%CI 0.16, 1.30; P = 0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arterial stiffness, a recognized marker of cardio vascular risk, is increased in obese/overweight subjects without overt cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: b Department of Radiology , Hebei General Hospital , Hebei Province , China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: c Department of Endocrinology , Hebei Medical University , Hebei Province , China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Obesity; arterial stiffness; cardiovascular diseases; overweight