Abstract
BackgroundThe serum hemoglobin (Hb) level is closely related to adverse clinical outcomes. However, data on the association of Hb levels with subclinical atherosclerosis beyond metabolic abnormalities are limited.MethodsThis study evaluated the association among serum Hb level, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and the risk of carotid plaque formation in asymptomatic adults without a history of major adverse clinical events.ResultsA total of 2560 participants (mean age: 60 ± 8 years, 32.9% men) were stratified into four groups based on Hb quartiles, as follows: ≤ 12.8 g/dL (group I), 12.9–13.6 g/dL (group II), 13.7–14.5 g/dL (group III), and ≥ 14.6 g/dL (group IV). The overall prevalence of MetS and carotid plaque was 37.2% and 33.4%, respectively. The prevalence of MetS increased with increasing Hb level (group I: 27.4% vs. group II: 35.9% vs. group III: 42.6% vs. group IV: 44.1%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of carotid plaque was 34.3%, 28.1%, 32.8%, and 39.5% in groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that MetS was associated with an increased risk of carotid plaque (odds ratio [OR] 1.568, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.326–1.856, p < 0.001). Only group II showed a lower risk of carotid plaque than group I (OR 0.750, 95% CI 0.596–0.943, p = 0.014). Multiple logistic regression models showed consistent results after adjusting for clinical factors, including MetS and its individual components.ConclusionSerum Hb level is associated with the risk of carotid plaque beyond MetS and its components in a relatively healthy adult population.
Highlights
The serum hemoglobin (Hb) level is closely related to adverse clinical outcomes
The present study aimed to evaluate the association among serum Hb level, Metabolic syndrome (MetS), and the risk of carotid plaque formation, focusing on the comparison with the lowest category of Hb in asymptomatic adults without a history of major adverse clinical events
Carotid plaque was more frequently observed in participants with MetS than in those without MetS (39.8% vs. 29.7%, p < 0.001)
Summary
The serum hemoglobin (Hb) level is closely related to adverse clinical outcomes. data on the association of Hb levels with subclinical atherosclerosis beyond metabolic abnormalities are limited. Low hemoglobin (Hb) levels are strongly associated with an increased risk of mortality in various clinical conditions, including acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease [1,2,3]. Choi et al BMC Cardiovasc Disord (2021) 21:35 relationship [4,5,6] This might imply the existence of a clinically beneficial level of Hb even within the normal Hb range. A number of previous studies have revealed that MetS is strongly associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease and its related complications [11, 12]. The present study aimed to evaluate the association among serum Hb level, MetS, and the risk of carotid plaque formation, focusing on the comparison with the lowest category of Hb in asymptomatic adults without a history of major adverse clinical events
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