Arterial elasticity and oxidized LDL among men with metabolic syndrome and different 10-year cardiovascular risk estimated by FINRISK and SCORE models

Abstract

Background. SCORE and FINRISK models are designed to estimate patient's risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Increased circulating oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and impaired arterial elasticity, on their part, are considered as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. Subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are thought to be at high risk for CVD because of metabolic abnormalities.

Aim. To study among men with MetS whether subjects with three, four, or five MetS variables or different estimated 10-year CVD risk differ in oxLDL and arterial elasticity.

Methods. OxLDL was assessed by a capture ELISA and arterial elasticity by a radial artery tonometer among 120 men with MetS. Ten-year CVD risk was calculated for those without CVD or statin medication by FINRISK and SCORE at the actual age and at the extrapolated age of 60.

Results. High-risk subjects by FINRISK and SCORE had impaired arterial elasticity. In addition, high-risk subjects by FINRISK at the extrapolated age had elevated oxLDL levels. The number of MetS variables did not associate with arterial elasticity or oxLDL.

Conclusion. Among men with MetS, estimation of 10-year CVD risk, especially when extrapolated to age 60, seems to differentiate subjects with respect to markers of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01119404.

Key words::

• Arterial elasticity
• cardiovascular risk
• coronary heart disease
• FINRISK
• metabolic syndrome
• oxidized LDL
• SCORE
• stroke

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the professional technical aid of Sanna Haavisto, Jaana Heikkinen, Kirsti Inkilä, Matti Kataja, Paula Lahtinen, and Kirsti Räsänen. The authors gratefully acknowledge the co-operation of the clinical staff at Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, Linnan Klinikka, and Mehiläinen.

This study was supported by grants from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland through the Medical Research Fund of Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, the Häme Regional Fund under the auspices of the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Paavo Ilmari Ahvenainen Foundation and Hilkka and Väinö Kiltti Foundation.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0111 9404.

Declaration of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest and have received no payment in preparation of this manuscript.