Values of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) between Amami Islands and Kagoshima Mainland Among Health Checkup Examinees

Abstract

Aim:To investigate the prevalence and geographical variation of high arterial stiffness in groups from the Amami islands (Amami) and Kagoshima mainland (mainland), Japan, using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) as a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness. Methods: We recruited 4,523 health checkup examinees from Amami and 440 examinees from the mainland, with an age range of 40-69 years. The frequency of high arterial stiffness (CAVI ≥ 9.0) was geographically compared between the regions, and both mean CAVI values were compared with those of the healthy Japanese population with less risk factors for coronary artery disease. Clinical, lifestyle, and regional factors for increased CAVI values were estimated by the multiple linear regression model. Results: The frequency of high arterial stiffness on Amami was significantly lower than on the mainland. Mean CAVI values on Amami were similar in males and lower in females than in the healthy Japanese population, but those on the mainland were higher for both sexes. Age, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were positively related to increased CAVI values on Amami. The regional factor of Amami, compared with the mainland, was negatively related to increased CAVI values in both sexes after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: CAVI values in Amami residents were significantly lower than in mainland residents, suggesting that environmental or genetic factors might have improved arterial stiffness in the Amami population.

Positive Association of Plasma Homocysteine Levels with Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in a Prospective Study of Japanese Men from the General Population

“…First, this study did not evaluate a large number of participants, and it is possible that a random error was introduced. However, the effect of this error on the conventional risk factors for CAVI is possibly small because our findings regarding CAVI risk factors are in agreement with those of a larger study (n 4,523) 32) . Second, we selected MTHFR and MS polymorphisms, which may be involved in the metabolism of Hcy.…”

“…We prospectively recruited study subjects from among participants in the Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study, which has been described previously [30][31][32] . The baseline survey was conducted in the Amami island region of southern Japan during 2005.…”

Evaluation of Hypertriglyceridemia using Non-fasting Health Checkup Data in a Japanese Population

“…The characteristics of the well recognized to be a cardiovascular risk factor [4][5][6][7] , and it is of health care importance to detect sustained hypertriglyceridemia as well as other metabolic abnormalities. Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement proposed 2.3 mmol/l (200 mg/dl) as a non-fasting cutoff point for screening 8) .…”

Prevalence of High Arterial Stiffness and Gender-specific Differences in the Relationships with Classical Cardiovascular Risk Factors

“…Hirasada K. et al 25) reported the prevalence of high arterial stiffness on the Amami islands and Kagoshima Mainland of Japan in 2010 and found geographical variation in the frequency of high arterial stiffness between the two islands. Compared to the results for these Japanese islands, we found that the prevalence of high arterial stiffness in Chongqing was slightly higher than that on the Amami islands and far lower than that on Kagoshima Mainland.…”