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Gallstones have been linked to dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness is an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the relationship between gallstone disease and arterial stiffness progression in 347 men and 454 women. These subjects were followed for 7 years. Arterial stiffness progression was measured based on increases in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Changes in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity during the study period were significantly greater in patients with gallstones than in subjects without gallstones. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, gallstone disease was found to be a significant and independent predictor of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity progression (β=0.189; P<0.001). In conclusion, gallstone disease is an independent predictor of arterial stiffness progression, even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.

Background Low bone mineral density (BMD) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function are associated with heart failure. However, little is known about the association between BMD and LV diastolic function. Hypothesis BMD is independently related to LV diastolic function in women. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 432 women. Brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and BMD measurements were performed. LV diastolic function and structure were assessed by echocardiographic examination. Results BaPWV and the percentage of LV diastolic dysfunction increased with progressive bone loss. Moreover, partial correlation analysis demonstrated that BMD at spine L2–4 and at femoral neck were correlated with baPWV and LV diastolic function parameters after adjusting covariates. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that osteoporosis was independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in women. Conclusions Osteoporosis is independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in women. A prospective study is needed to elucidate the effects of BMD on cardiac function in women.

The combined use of SCCA, PDW and prealbumin can accurately distinguish squamous cell cervical carcinoma from control subjects. This promising approach could be helpful in early detection of squamous cell cervical carcinoma.

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