Anti-cytomegalovirus antibodies and other atherosclerosis risk factors in patients with cardiovascular diseases

Objective To determine anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies along with anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP)antibodies in comparison with inflammatory markers and other risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with selected cardiovascular diseases(CVD).Methods A total of 228 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and/or hypertension (HT), and those who underwent reconstructive vascular surgery (RVS) on carotids or abdominal aorta were tested for the presence of anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies as well as for anti-CP IgA antibodies, C-reactive protein (CRP),and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Other risk factors for atherosclerosis, namely age, gender,smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus were also analyzed. Results Anti-CMV IgG antibodies were found in 204 patients sera (89.5%),compared with 46 positive of 68 sera in the controls (67.6%), whereas anti-CMV IgM antibodies were detected in 4 of 54 sera of patients tested (7.4%), but not in the controls. The highest proportion of positive sera with not only anti-CMV IgG antibodies (95.6.7%),but also anti-CP IgA antibodies (78.3%), IL-6 (84.8%) and CRP (97.8%), was observed in patients with RVS. The results obtained corresponded to age, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. Conclusions The presence of anti-CMV antibodies together with antibodies to CP and markers of inflammation (CRP and IL-6) in our study was associated with CVD, primarily in elderly patients who underwent RVS.     

Risk factors in young patients with peripheral atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors and especially the combination of multiple risk factors are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, patients with an early manifestation of atherosclerotic disease are likely to show an extraordinary risk profile. We analysed the frequencies and severity of risk factors in young patients with manifest peripheral arterial occlusive disease as compared to old patients. METHODS: We analysed the risk profiles in 303 patients who were sent for interventional treatment of a symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The risk profiles were described for different age groups (54 patients under 50 years of age, 194 patients from 51 to 74 years, 55 patients over 75 years). Multiple linear regression analysis and analysis of variance were performed to look for age-dependent effects. RESULTS: Elevated total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and nicotine abuse were more frequent in patients younger than 50 years. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were more frequent in patients older than 75 years. The different frequencies for smoking, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were age-related (p<0.05). Concerning laboratory parameters such as HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, fibrinogen, lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine there were no relevant age-related differences in frequency nor in absolute values with the exception of the hematocrit and uric acid. The coincidence with clinically manifest myocardial infarction was 11.15% in the patients under 50 years compared to 20.6% in those aged 51-74 years and 16.4% in those over 75 years, for cerebral stroke it was 5.6%, 17.5% and 14.5%, respectively. Patients under 50 years with peripheral arterial occlusive disease and a history of myocardial infarction were characterised by high levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and lipoprotein(a). Excluding patients with prior myocardial infarction patients did not show any difference in risk profile between the three age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In a population suffering from manifest peripheral arterial occlusive disease the risk profile in patients under 50 years is not different from that in older patients. In contrast an additional myocardial infarction in such a population is associated with pathological lipid profiles.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae and other risk factors for atherosclerosis

Seroepidemiologic studies have provided information on the association of Chlamydia pneumoniae with the classical risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). C. pneumoniae infections are more common in smokers than in nonsmokers, suggesting that smoking predisposes to the development of chronic infection. Infections may also affect lipid metabolism. In persons with acute pneumonia caused by C. pneumoniae, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values are lower and triglyceride values higher than seen in pneumonia caused by viruses and other bacteria. Furthermore, chronic C. pneumoniae infection is associated with elevated triglyceride and lowered HDL levels in healthy Finnish men. Recent studies also suggest that chronic C. pneumoniae infection considerably enhances the effect of the metabolic syndrome on the CHD risk. Thus, known CHD risk factors may be partly explained by their association with chronic C. pneumoniae infection. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying these associations.     

Homocysteine levels in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Abundant epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that the presence of mild to moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in the coronary, cerebral, and peripheral vasculature, and for vascular disease, including coronary disease. It has been demonstrated that plasma total homocysteine level is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease. HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to determine the extent of homocysteine levels in patients without documented coronary artery disease, but with at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis. METHODS: Fasting blood samples were collected prospectively from 160 consecutive patients (50 women and 110 men, mean age 65+/-7 years) who had at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis, but had no documented coronary artery disease. Homocysteine levels were measured by an immunoassay method. RESULTS: Of the patients studied, 78 (48.75%) with at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis had high homocysteine levels; 62 patients had mild hyperhomocysteinemia (15-30 micromol/l); and 16 patients had moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (30-100 micromol/l). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia is highly prevalent in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis. Homocysteine level (an independent convertible risk factor to atherosclerosis) should be measured routinely in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis and treated appropriately.     

短暂性脑缺血发作患者颈动脉粥样硬化及相关危险因素分析

目的探讨短暂性脑缺血发作(transient ischemic altack,TIA)患者颈动脉粥样硬化的发生以及相关危险因素方法1l0例伴或不伴脑梗死病史的TIA患者为TIA组,另选其他科室住院患者52例为对照组,对两组患者的颈动脉采用血管外超声测定内膜中层厚度(intima media thickness,IMT)及斑块形成,以及测量血压、检测空腹血糖、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白、纤维蛋白原、尿酸等。结果TIA组胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、颈动脉IMT、斑块检出率均较高,差异有显著性意义。两组间年龄、血压、高密度脂蛋白、甘油三酯、尿酸、血糖、纤维蛋白原无显著差异。伴脑梗死的TIA患者与无脑梗死的TIA患者比较,各项指标无显著差异。有斑块组与无斑块组比较,年龄、低密度脂蛋白、尿酸差异有显著性意义。结论TIA患者的动脉粥样硬化发生率较高,颈动脉超声可作为评价动脉粥样硬化的无创性敏感性指标,年龄、低密度脂蛋白、尿酸对斑块形成可能有一定的意义。     

Prevalence and risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis by measuring the intima-media wall thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to identify vascular risk factors associated with PsA. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with PsA were compared with 100 allegedly healthy subjects. Carotid duplex scanning was used to measure common carotid artery IMT. Traditional risk factors, such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, smoking, and lipids were checked. Assessment of PsA activity included clinical patterns of involvement, degree of severity, duration of morning stiffness, number of tender and swollen joints, degree of pain and fatigue, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen. RESULTS: The average IMT (mean +/- standard deviation) for PsA patients was significantly higher compared with controls (0.76 +/- 0.11 versus 0.64 +/- 0.27, respectively, P < 0.00001) for the whole group and after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The PsA subjects had significantly higher levels of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ESR, CRP, and fibrinogen, and their average IMT significantly correlated with age, BMI, duration of skin and joint disease, spine involvement, ESR, and fibrinogen. IMT did not correlate with the presence of oligo- or polyarthritis but was increased in patients with clinical spinal involvement. IMT was not associated with the degree of severity or the use of different therapies for PsA, including methotrexate or tumor necrosis factor-alpha-blocking agents. CONCLUSIONS: PsA patients exhibited greater IMT than healthy controls. Increased IMT independently correlated with parameters of disease activity and conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis.     

心血管疾病危险人群中微量白蛋白尿与颈动脉粥样硬化及外周动脉疾病的关系

目的评价存在心血管疾病危险因素但无明确心脑血管疾病的患者中,微量白蛋白尿(MA)与颈动脉粥样硬化(AS)及外周动脉疾病(PAD)的关系。方法采用横断面研究,277例住院有心血管疾病危险因素但无明确心脑血管疾病的患者,根据其尿白蛋白/肌酐(UACR)水平分为两组:微量白蛋白尿组(MA组,男:17 mg/g≤UACR≤250 mg/g;女:25 mg/g≤UACR≤355 mg/g)及不伴微量白蛋白尿组(NMA组,男:00.05)。结论心血管疾病高危患者中,伴MA者颈总动脉AS和PAD的危险性均增加,MA与颈总动脉AS的关系较与PAD的关系更加明显。     

银屑病性关节炎患者动脉粥样硬化的机制和危险因素

流行病学研究显示,银屑病以及银屑病关节炎(PsA)患者动脉粥样硬化(AS)的危险因素(如肥胖、糖尿病、高脂血症)增加,并且主要心血管不良事件(MACE)的发病率升高。PsA与心血管疾病、代谢综合征等疾病存在着一些共同的涉及慢性炎症的通路以及细胞因子,可能是此类患者合并心血管疾病、代谢综合征的基础。本文综述了PsA患者合并AS的危险因素,为PsA患者罹患AS的监测及预防提供指导。     

Prediction of symptomatic depression by discriminant analysis in Japanese community-dwelling elderly

Although a number of studies have examined depression risk factors for elderly persons, little attention has been paid to the prediction of individuals at risk. This study constructed a predictive model for discrimination between individuals at a higher risk of depression and normal subjects in Japanese community-dwelling elderly persons, using linear discriminant analysis. Data were collected from 754 non-institutionalized elderly men and women aged 65 years and older living in the community in Japan, using face-to-face interviews in 2002. Stepwise linear discrimination analysis was used to construct a predictive model to select individuals who have a higher risk of depression. The stepwise discriminant analysis selected the five predictor variables (frequent hearing problems, poor appetite, less financial leeway, low emotional support and less subjective usefulness) and yielded a statistically significant function (λ = 0.816; χ² = 113.0, df = 5, p < 0.001). This function showed that the rate of correct prediction was 78.2% for depressed. The calculated discriminate function based on the above five predictor variables (hearing problem, less appetite, less financial leeway, low emotional support and less subjective usefulness) is useful for detecting individuals at high risk of depression and preventing its development among community-dwelling elderly persons. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the validity and feasibility of the model for earlier screening for depression among such people.     

Segmental manifestation of peripheral atherosclerosis and its association to risk factors

BACKGROUND: To prove whether the aortoiliac, femoropopliteal or crural segments of the peripheral arteries might have a different sensitivity to a risk profile we did a statistical analysis of segmental peripheral atherosclerosis and risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 132 patients (mean age 61 +/- 13 years) with peripheral arterial occlusions the arterial segments with occlusion or stenosis were angiographically documented: 17 had occluded or stenosed aortoiliac, 45 femoropopliteal and 25 crural arteries and 45 patients had multiple manifestations. Analysis of total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein a, fibrinogen, uric acid, homocysteine, hematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, HBA1, IgG- and IgM-antibodies versus Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex-virus, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori were done and nicotine abuse, arterial hypertension and obesity were evaluated. RESULTS: Age of the patients had the strongest correlation with isolated segmental manifestation (p < 0.0001). Patients with isolated aortoiliac manifestation were younger than patients without this manifestation (54 +/- 9 years versus 62 +/- 13 years). Patients with isolated femoropopliteal manifestation were older than patients without this manifestation (66 +/- 11 years versus 58 +/- 13 years). None of the investigated risk factors showed a correlation with these age related differences. Independent from the age related differences for the nicotine abuse a p-value of 0.08 was estimated, but in smokers a diffuse manifestation was most frequent. CONCLUSION: There are age dependent differences of the prevalence of isolated aortoiliac or femoropopliteal atherosclerotic occlusions or stenosis. An association of these differences to a specific risk profile was not found.     

有症状脑动脉粥样硬化患者的危险因素和致卒中机制:青年与中年患者的比较

目的 探讨青年和中年有症状脑动脉粥样硬化(symptomatic cerebral artery atherosclerosis,sCAA)患者危险因素和致卒中机制的差异.方法 连续纳入因sCAA所致缺血性卒中或短暂性缺血发作住院的青年(18～44岁)和中年(45 ～ 55岁)患者.根据弥散加权成像所示急性脑梗死灶的分布模式判定sCAA的致卒中机制,包括动脉-动脉栓塞(artery-artery embolism,AAE)、闭塞旁支动脉(local branch occlusion,LBO)和血流动力学障碍(hemodynamic impairment,HI).单发卒中机制定义为只存在上述1种机制,多发卒中机制定义为存在上述≥2种机制.结果 共纳入186例患者,男性138例;青年组82例,平均年龄(40.11 ±4.94)岁;中年组104例,平均年龄(51.26±2.97)岁.青年组男性患者比例显著高于中年组(81.71％对68.27％;P=0.043);而中年组高血压(70.19％对47.56％;P =0.002)和糖尿病(38.46％对20.73％;P=0.011)的患者比例显著高于青年组.青年组sCAA累及大脑中动脉更多见(64.63％对48.08％;P=0.002);而中年组累及基底动脉更常见(12.50％对3.66％;P=0.037).单个/多个卒中机制在2组患者中均较常见(青年组49/30,中年组57/42;P=0.645).在多个卒中机制中,青年组AAE+ LBO+ HI更多见(16.46％对6.06％;P=0.030),而中年组AAE+ HI更为多见(21.21％对3.80％;P =0.001).结论 青年sCAA患者的危险因素和致卒中机制与中年患者存在明显差异,提示青年sCAA具有其独特的病理生理学机制,其防治策略可能有别于中年患者.     

Prevalence, risk factors and cardiovascular comorbidity of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease in Italy

The epidemiology of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has been studied almost exclusively in northern European and northern American populations. We report the first survey in Italy to describe the prevalence of symptomatic PAD and clinical correlates. From the lists of seven general practitioners, all subjects aged 40-80 years (n = 4352) received a Rose Questionnaire (RQ). In those reporting pain in the leg while walking, which did not disappear while continuing to walk (n = 760), Doppler examination was performed. PAD was defined by ankle/brachial < or = 0.90, or reduced flow velocity. The prevalence of symptomatic PAD was 1.6% (2.4% in men, 0.9% in women). For each PAD patient, three controls matched for sex and age were randomly selected. At the multivariate analysis, smoking, diabetes and hypertension were significantly associated with PAD. A coexistent cardiovascular disease was found in 34% of patients and 11% of controls (P < 0.001). Only PAD was shown to be independently associated with a previous cardiovascular event. Although symptomatic, 45% of the patients were unaware of their condition. In conclusion, prevalence and cardiovascular comorbidity of symptomatic PAD in Italy seem to be lower than in other western countries. The finding that PAD was unrecognised in about 50% of affected individuals implies that a large proportion of PAD population is not given preventive therapy, so remaining at high cardiovascular risk. Thus, there is need to alert general practitioners to this topic.     

Coronary artery calcification and risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atherosclerosis may be associated and may share common risk factors. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to investigate the association between VTE and coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD) by means of measuring coronary artery calcification and evaluating clinical risk factors. METHODS: From 385 consecutive patients suspected of VTE, we randomly selected 89 cases with idiopathic VTE and 89 controls without VTE, frequency matched on gender and age. Risk factors for atherosclerosis were noted for both groups. Coronary artery calcification was quantified on pulmonary computed tomography (CT) angiographic images. The coronary artery calcification and risk factors were compared between the case and control groups. The associations between VTE and the presence of coronary artery calcium and risk factors were assessed with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of coronary artery calcium was found in the case group (51.7%) than in the control group (28.1%) (p=0.001). The presence of coronary artery calcium was significantly associated with VTE with an odds ratio of 4.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.9-10.1) in a multivariable model. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were also significantly associated with VTE. CONCLUSION: A significant association between VTE and CAD suggests that CAD is an independent risk factor for VTE. Diabetes and hypertension are also independent risk factors for VTE.     

Prevalence and risk factors of peripheral arterial disease in a selected Thai population

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition with high mortality, but it is amenable to secondary prevention. Data on its prevalence in Thailand are scarce. To study the prevalence of PAD in a middle-class, urban Thai population, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the Electric Generating Authority of Thailand's head plant, Nonthaburi, in 2002 and 2003 on all surviving and contactable employees and former employees who had participated in the first cardiovascular risk factors survey in 1985. Participants completed a structured questionnaire detailing their medical history, and they underwent a physical examination. A diagnosis of PAD was made when the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was < 0.9. Ankle-brachial index data were available for 98% of participants in the survey; 75% were men, and participants' ages ranged from 52 to 73 years. The overall prevalence of PAD was 5.2%. The age-standardized prevalence of PAD was 4% in men and 9% in women. Multiple logistic regression analysis found hypertension (OR = 1.7), female gender (OR = 1.9), current smoking (OR = 3.0), current alcohol drinking (OR = 0.41), and overweight (body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg/m( 2), OR = 0.54) to be significant (P < .05) predictors of PAD. The prevalence of PAD in urban, middle-class Thais was similar to that in the population in developed countries.     

大动脉粥样硬化性卒中患者脑白质疏松危险因素分析

目的探讨大动脉粥样硬化性卒中(LAA)患者脑白质疏松(LA)的危险因素。方法回顾性分析312例经改良急性卒中Org 10172治疗试验(TOAST)分型的LAA患者的临床资料(年龄、性别及高血压、糖尿病、吸烟、血脂水平、同型半胱氨酸水平、狭窄或闭塞脑动脉数等),采用年龄相关性白质改变(ARWMC)量表评估LA,依据MRI T2加权像或液体衰减反转恢复(FLAIR)序列将患者分为无LA组72例及有LA组240例,同时依据ARWMC评分将有LA组患者分为轻度LA组140例、中度LA组42例及重度LA组58例,并对患者多种危险因素进行单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析。结果 (1)312例LAA患者中男227例(72.8%),平均年龄(64±11)岁,其中240例(76.9%)存在LA。多因素Logistic回归分析显示年龄(OR=2.911,95%CI:1.647~5.146,P0.01)、高血压(OR=2.583,95%CI:1.373~4.857,P0.01)、糖尿病(OR=1.882,95%CI:1.058~3.348,P0.05)、狭窄或闭塞动脉支数(OR=1.851,95%CI:1.018~3.367,P0.05)、腔隙性脑梗死(LI)(OR=1.493,95%CI:1.202~1.853,P0.01)是LA的危险因素。(2)不同严重程度LA组患者临床资料比较显示,3组间年龄、高血压、糖尿病、狭窄或闭塞动脉支数及LI差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论年龄、高血压、糖尿病、狭窄或闭塞动脉数及LI是LAA患者LA的危险因素,且与LA的严重程度相关。     

Antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies in patients with premature atherosclerosis: prevalence and association with risk factors

OBJECTIVES: Autoimmunity is suggested to play a role in premature atherosclerosis. Antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies (ANCA) are a group of autoantibodies found in several inflammatory disorders in which they supposedly amplify the inflammatory process. In this study the hypothesis is tested that ANCA play a role in premature atherosclerosis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study followed by nested case-control study. In a total of 286 consecutive patients with premature atherosclerosis (age < 55 years) ANCA were tested. Within the same cohort, a nested case-control study in 16 ANCA-positive patients and 32 ANCA-negative controls matched for sex, and site of atherosclerosis, was executed. SETTING: University hospital outpatient clinic for lipids and premature atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS: A total of 286 consecutive patients with premature atherosclerosis (age < 55 years). RESULTS: Prevalence of ANCA was 5.6% (16 of 286). All cases had perinuclear ANCA (pANCA); no cytoplasmatic ANCA was found. Mean age was 42 +/- 7 in the ANCA-positive vs. 42 +/- 9 years in the ANCA-negative group (P=ns). More female parents were ANCA-positive (8M/8F vs. 200M/70F, P=0.03). Patients with ANCA had more often peripheral vascular disease (37.5 vs. 15.2%, P=0.03). In the case-control study levels of Lp(a) were higher (43.8 vs. 15.6% >300 mg x L(-1), P=0.05), whereas levels of HDL-c were lower in ANCA-positive patients (0.84 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.06 +/- 0.27 mmol x L(-1), P=0.01). Markers of inflammation, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), did not differ, nor did antibodies against oxidized-LDL and malondialdehyde (MDA)-LDL, markers for the extent of atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ANCA do not appear to play a major role in premature atherosclerosis as there was no increased prevalence of the autoantibody. Moreover, no differences in the incidence of classical cardiovascular risk factors nor in serum levels of markers of inflammation were found between the ANCA-positive group as compared with the ANCA-negative group.