Abstract P294: Circulating Soluble ICAM-1 is Associated with Aorto-Iliac and Coronary Artery Calcified Plaque 10 years Later in Young Adults: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Abstract

Background: Elevated serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) concentration has been associated with cardiovascular disease in older adults. Soluble ICAM-1may have a central role in the development of atherosclerosis, but few studies have investigated the relationship in young adults or evaluated prospective relationships. Objective/Hypothesis: To investigate the relationship between sICAM-1 and subclinical atherosclerosis measured 10 years later in young adults. sICAM-1 will have positive association with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods: Soluble ICAM-1 concentrations were assayed in black and white men and women at average age 40 (range 32–47 years). Two markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, namely aorto-iliac calcified plaque (AoIC, n=1621, 55% with AoIC) and coronary artery calcium (CAC, n=1656, 30% with CAC), were measured 10 years later. Associations were evaluated by logistic regression methods. Results: Mean (standard deviation (SD)) of sICAM-1 was 155.1 (45.8) ng/ml. In a minimally adjusted (age, race, sex, clinic) model, sICAM-1 was associated with an increased risk of AoIC (OR=1.56 per SD, CI=1.37–1.78, p<0.0001,). This association remained highly significant (OR=1.22 per SD, CI=1.06–1.40, p<0.006) in a model fully-adjusted (adding education, body mass index, waist, blood lipids, cholesterol-lowering medication, smoking, blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, and exercise). CAC was associated with sICAM-1 (OR=1.41 per SD, CI=1.24–1.59, p<0.0001) in the minimally adjusted model as well as the fully-adjusted model (OR=1.18 per SD, CI=1.04–1.34, p<.01). Conclusion: Elevated concentrations of sICAM-1 were associated with subclinical atherosclerotic calcification, which in turn is known to be highly predictive of future cardiovascular disease. Soluble ICAM-1 assessed at average age 40 predicts the early development of advanced atherosclerosis, only partly mediated by effects of elevations of known risk factors.