Unraveling the link between metabolic syndrome and abdominal aortic calcification

Background & aims: Over the last few decades, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has gradually increased. As we know, many prior studies have connected MetS with diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular disease. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a good marker of morbidity and mortality of vascular disease, as its degree may be associated with the severity of coronary artery calcification and disease. The aim of this article is to investigate the connection between MetS and AAC. Methods and results: This retrospective observational study included 2731 participants aged 58 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2013-2014). We used Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry to define the degree of AAC. We defined MetS according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. A total of 2731 participants with complete data were included for data analysis. In the fully adjusted model, an increase in the severity of AAC with the number of MetS components was still significant with beta values of AAC Total 24 Score 0.498 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.018,0.978), 1.016 (95% CI: 0.514,1.519) and 1.426 (95% CI: 0.916,1.937) respectively in 2, 3 and >= 4 components. Additionally, associations were observed between MetS components, including blood pressure, HDL and glucose with beta values of AAC Total 24 Score 0.332(95% CI: 0.069, 0.595), 0.652(95% CI: 0.380, 0.925) and 0.534 (95% CI: 0.285, 0.783) after fully adjusted, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated that, in the US adult population, a greater number of components of MetS were significantly associated with AAC. Among the components of metabolic syndrome, the blood pressure, HDL and blood sugar were observed apparent association with AAC. (C) 2020 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study found that in the US adult population, a greater number of components of MetS were significantly associated with AAC, with blood pressure, HDL and blood sugar showing apparent associations with AAC.