Cross-sectional association between body fat percentage and arteriosclerosis assessed by Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in a Chinese population: a retrospective observational study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate arteriosclerosis using Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) and to explore the relation between the body fat percentage (BFP) and CAVI.

Design: A retrospective observational study.

Setting and participants: A total of 1152 patients admitted to a geriatric unit and general practice at a mega hospital in Wuhan, China, from November 2018 to November 2019 were included in this study.

Primary outcome: Association between BFP and CAVI.

Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BFP was positively correlated with CAVI after correction for potential confounding variables (β=0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.05); this association persisted after BFP was treated by quartile categorical variables and the trend test was statistically significant (p for trend=0.002). Meanwhile, the generalised additive model showed a non-linear association between BFP and CAVI. When BFP<20.6%, BFP is not associated with CAVI for (β=-0.02; 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.03), but when BFP≥20.6%, there is a linear positive association between BFP and CAVI (β=0.05; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.07). Subgroup analysis showed that there was an interaction between BFP and CAVI in the age stratification (p interaction=0.038).

Conclusion: BFP was non-linearly correlated with CAVI, with a 0.05 increase in CAVI for every 1% increase in BFP when BFP≥20.6% and a 0.03 increase in CAVI in those >65 years of age.

Keywords: Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index; arteriosclerosis; body fat percentage.

Figure 1

Scatterplot of age, BMI and BFP. (A) Age. (B) BMI. BFP, body fat percentage; BMI, body mass index.

Figure 2

Fitting curve between BFP and CAVI. A non-linear relationship between BFP and CAVI after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, SBP, hypertension, diabetes, PAD, CHD, osteoporosis, CKD, COPD, fatty liver, smoking, drinking, DBP, TC, HDL-C, TG, fasting glucose, LDL-C and diuretic use. BFP, body fat percentage; BMI, body mass index; CAVI, Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index; CHD, coronary heart disease; CKD, chronic kidney disease; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; PAD, peripheral artery disease; SBP, systolic blood pressure; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides.