Objective Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is 1.37 (0.79-2.38), and 1.80 (1.03-3.15) in men, and 1.0, 1.04 (0.56-1.94), 2.35 (1.30-4.22), and 2.20 (1.16-4.20) in women. After adjusting for various known risk factors, the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis (IMT 1.0 mm) was higher in subjects in the second, third and fourth quartiles of SUA concentration with odds ratios (95% CI) of 2.41 (1.08-5.37), 3.33 (1.49-7.42), and 2.73 (1.17-6.35

Objective Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a useful surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease. In addition to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), metabolic syndrome has been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study investigated whether the clustering of multiple components of metabolic syndrome has a greater impact on vascular parameters than individual components of metabolic syndrome, and assessed the association between carotid IMT and LDL-C and metabolic syndrome.Methods Carotid

It is not known whether subjects with metabolic syndrome and elevated blood pressure are at the same cardiovascular risk as subjects with metabolic syndrome but without elevated blood pressure.

We tried to investigate whether accumulation of visceral fat assessed by a simple but widely used ultrasonography was associated with common carotid atherosclerosis in women. The subjects were consecutively admitted in-patients whose body mass index was more than 22 kg/m2. Those with cardiorenal or nutritional disorders that would affect blood pressure, and lipid and glucose metabolism were excluded. An ultrasonographic evaluation with a 7.5 MHz linear type B-mode probe was performed by a specialist to determine the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery and maximum thickness of preperitoneal fat (Pmax) at the anterior surface of the liver and the minimum thickness of subcutaneous fat (Smin) of the abdomen. The Pmax/Smin ratio which was termed the abdominal wall fat index (AFI), was then calculated. The subjects were 241 women aged 69 +/- 12 (range, 26-104) years. Multiple regression analysis using the IMT as an object variable, adjusted by various risk factors as explanatory variables showed that AFI [odds ratio, 2.995; 95% confidence interval, 1.106-8.109] was a significant independent contributing factor along with known risk factors such as age, systolic blood pressure, total-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol.AFI was useful in evaluating disorders of metabolism, circulation and atherosclerosis.

Background:The objectives of this study were to clarify the relationship between functional capacity and background factors in community-dwelling elderly people.Methods: Study subjects were 1070 community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older in 2001 who could provide complete responses to questionnaires regarding functional capacity. All subjects were enrolled from the April 2001 resident registry of Nomura-cho in Ehime prefecture. Functional capacity was measured using the 13 items of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) index for competence (instrumental self-maintenance, intellectual activity, social role).Results: Subjects consisted of 472 men (mean age ± standard deviation, 73 ± 6.5 years) and 598 women (75 ± 7.6 years). Functional capacity decreased with age. In particular, functional capacity was markedly decreased in women at highly advanced ages. Multiple logistic regression analysis of functional capacity showed that significantly independent explanatory variables included younger age, good financial condition, participation in community activities, regular physical exercise, absence of prescription medication, absence of hearing impairment, absence of cognitive impairment and physical independence. Conclusion:These results indicate that good financial condition, participation in community activities, regular physical exercise, absence of prescription medication, absence of hearing impairment, absence of cognitive impairment and physical independence are important for maintaining functional capacity in elderly people. Early preventive measures are necessary to combat decline in functional capacity, particularly in women at highly advanced ages.

Objective Several cohort studies have shown a link between serum uric acid (SUA) and subsequent cardiovascular disease. However, such an association did not remain significant after adjusting for concomitant risk factors for atherosclerosis in some studies. Thus, the role of SUA as an independent risk factor remains controversial. We therefore investigated the association between SUA and sclerotic lesions of common carotid atherosclerosis.Patients and Methods We evaluated sclerotic lesions of the common carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography in 398 men aged 74±8 (range, 60-97) years and 521 women aged 75±8 (range, 60-104) years. To investigate the relation between SUA and various factors, all subjects were divided into three groups based on the tertile of SUA.Results Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis using IMT as an objective variable, adjusted by various risk factors as explanatory variables showed that SUA [B, 0.0099; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.0022-0.0175] was a significant independent contributing factor along with known risk factors such as age, sex, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, antihypertensive drug use, HDL-cholesterol, and LDLcholesterol. Multiple logistic regression analysis for carotid IMT as a tertile of SUA and dependent variables showed that the adjusted odds ratio was 1.25 (95% CI, 0.87-1.78) for those in the middle tertile (4.2-5.5 mg/dl), and 1.66 (95% CI, 1.16-2.39) for those in the highest tertile (5.6-14.1 mg/dl) compared to that for subjects in the lowest tertile of SUA levels (0.51-4.1 mg/dl).Conclusion We suggest that SUA is a risk factor or marker for ultrasonographically determined IMT.

We have retrospectively investigated the effects of three strong statins, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, and rosuvastatin, on serum uric acid (SUA) levels. SUA levels after a few months of statin treatment were compared with those before treatment in 150 outpatients with dyslipidemia. In the atorvastatin (n = 62) and rosuvastatin (n = 45) groups, the SUA levels were reduced by 6.5% (p < 0.0001) and 3.6% (p = 0.03) respectively, but in the pitavastatin group (n = 43), the SUA level increased by 3.7% (p = 0.38). Because uric acid is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, atorvastatin or rosuvastatin treatment may be recommended when statins are used in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disorders complicated with hyperuricemia.

Background: Elderly persons living alone might be an at-risk group for high levels of mortality and morbidity, making high demands on health and social services. However, the effect of living alone on the physical and mental health of the elderly has not been sufficiently investigated. This study investigated the relationship between living alone and wellbeing, and determined the characteristics, physical health status, mental health status, social support and health needs of community-dwelling elderly people who are living alone. Methods:The study subjects were 877 persons living with others and 86 persons living alone at the baseline. The final outcome regarding emotional well-being was based on four criteria: the subjects' perceptions regarding the statements, 'I feel I am as good as other people', 'I am hopeful about the future', 'I am happy' and 'I enjoy life. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed for findings regarding subjects' emotional well-being. Results:The mean age ± standard deviation was 72 ± 5.4 years, and 461 subjects (47.9%) were men. Significantly independent explanatory variables included financial status (b, 0.070; P = 0.028), participation in community events (b, 0.138; P < 0.001), everyday alcohol use (b, 0.103; P = 0.001) and self-rated health (b, 0.153; P < 0.001). Living alone did not remain in the final model, however, when testing its interaction with confounding factors, the interactions between living alone and work activity status (F = 5.41; P = 0.0120) and prescription medication use (F = 5.77; P = 0.017) were significant independent explanatory variables. Conclusion:The interactions between living alone and work activity status and prescription medication influence the emotional well-being of elderly subjects.