Correlation between Neck Circumference and Pulse Wave Velocity: A Population-based Study

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide. In this setting, Neck Circumference (NC) and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) are simple and valuable tools for an early evaluation of cardiovascular risk through the assessment of upper body obesity and arterial stiffness. However, the associations between both measurements have not been systematically explored. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study representative of a neighborhood of Salvador-BA, Brazil. Data were collected between December 2016 and May 2019, and comprise 130 individuals for the present study. Variables such as age, sex, education levels and NC were analyzed to verify their associations with PWV status. Correlations between PWV and NC were performed to further depict their association. Results There was a predominance of patients with elevated PWV. The subgroup of patients aged 60 years or older presented the largest proportion of PWV alterations over normal results. There was a majority of women in the study population and sex could not determine PWV status. There was a predominance of concomitant elevation of NC and PWV in the studied population. NC measurements could distinguish PWV status from women and the study population. NC and PWV had a positive and statistically significant correlation for women and for the general population. Conclusion These findings suggest a possible association between upper body obesity and vascular homeostasis impairment. Therefore, screening patients with both measurements could prove relevant to better identify subclinical vascular perturbations and further delimitate prognosis related to cardiovascular events potentially associated with them. Highlights Elevation of pulse wave velocity (PWV) was associated with the increase of age. Frequency of patients with elevated PWV and neck circumference was predominant. Neck circumference and pulse wave velocity were positively correlated.