Adiposity measures and arterial stiffness in primary care: the MARK prospective observational study

BackgroundThe cardiovascular risk of obesity is potentially increased by arterial stiffness.ObjectiveTo assess the relationship of adiposity measures with arterial stiffness in Caucasian adults with intermediate cardiovascular risk.SettingSix Spanish health centres.ParticipantsWe enrolled 2354 adults (age range, 35–74 years; mean age, 61.4±7.7 years, 61.9% male).MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that analyses data from the baseline visit of the improving interMediAte RisK management (MARK) study. The main outcome variables were body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), Clínica Universidad de Navarra-body adiposity estimation (CUN-BAE) body fat percentage and body roundness index (BRI). Vascular function was assessed by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) with the VaSera device; brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was determined using a validated equation.ResultsThe mean adiposity measures were a BMI of 29.2±4.4, WHtR of 0.61±0.07, CUN-BAE of 35.7±1.7 and BRI of 5.8±1.7. The mean stiffness measures were a CAVI of 8.8±1.2 and baPWV of 14.9±2.5. In multiple linear regression analyses, all adiposity measures were negatively associated with CAVI and baPWV (p