Gender and age disparities in small-to-medium arterial stiffness among the Chinese population

• Published in: Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases Vol. 33; no. 12; pp. 2355 - 2362
• Main Authors: Chen, Jianxiong, Jin, Lin, Wu, Lingheng, Zhang, Mengjiao, Wu, Xiuqin, Hong, Yongqiang, Luo, Xianghong, Li, Zhaojun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Age; Arterial stiffness; Cardiovascular diseases; gender; metabolism; nutrition; regression analysis; risk; Risk factors; Sex-difference; Sex-difference; Arterial stiffness; Cardiovascular diseases; Age; Risk factors
• ISSN: 0939-4753; 1590-3729; 1590-3729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2023.08.006

Arterial pressure-volume index (API) is a non-invasive tool for assessing small-to-medium-sized arterial stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the potential age- and sex-related differences in the API and explore the practical implications of such differences. The study analysed 7620 subjects for whom API measurements were available. Linear regression and restrictive cubic spline models were used to investigate the associations between potential risk conditions and the API. Additionally, this study employed a backward stepwise regression method to identify the independent factors associated with a high API. Middle-aged to older women had higher API values and a higher prevalence of high API than men in the same age group. However, the opposite was observed among younger individuals, with women having lower API values than men. This study also identified a J-shaped relationship between API and age, where API values began to increase at a certain age and rapidly increased after that. In women, the API started to increase at 31 years of age and rapidly increased after 54 years of age. In men, the API started to increase at 38 years of age, followed by a rapid increase after 53 years of age. This study's observation of a significant age-sex interaction in small-to-medium-sized arterial stiffening offers a valuable explanation for cardiovascular disease risk and provides important parameters for using API measurements to evaluate such risk. •The large sample size in our study, covering the entire relevant age range, allowed us to comprehensively investigate the age-sex interaction.•API has significant J-shaped associations with age both in men and women.•In women, API starts to increase at the age of 31 and rapidly increases after 54 years of age. In men, API starts to increase at 38 years, followed by a rapid increase after 53 years of age.•Middle-aged to older women were found to have higher API values and a higher prevalence of high API compared to men in the same age group. However, among younger individuals, the opposite was observed, with women having lower API values than men.