Fib4 index is a more relevant marker for pulse wave velocity but not for carotid intima-media thickness in a men population

Abstract

Abstract Background Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) are useful markers for predicting cardiovascular disease not only in patients with cardiovascular disease but also in the general population. On the other hand, liver disease due to obesity has become a problem and has been reported to be associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. Recently, an indicator of liver stiffness, the Fibrosis-4 index (Fib4 index), has been used to detect the pre-stage liver diseases. However, there is no report to investigate the association between atherosclerotic parameters such as IMT and PWV, and Fib4 index. The Fib4 index is a simple index calculated from age and three blood sample data, and it will be useful for screening for an early stage of atherosclerosis if we can show the association between Fib4 index and these parameters. Purpose To investigate the association between atherosclerotic parameters such as IMT or PWV and Fib4 index Methods We recruited 3, 128 men participants who underwent health checkup. IMT was evaluated by carotid ultrasonography, and branchial-ankle PWV (baPWV) was measured by an automatic device. We analysed the association of IMT or baPWV with Fib4 index and atherosclerotic risk factors such as age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and fasting blood sugar (FBS). baPWV ≥1,600 cm/s was defined high baPWV and we performed the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis to demonstrate the significance of Fib4 index for baPWV. Results Mean Fib4 index was 1.39±0.68. In the univariate linear regression analysis, all factors such as age, SBP, LDL-C, FBS, Fib4 index were significantly associated with IMT or baPWV. On the other hand, in the multivariate linear regression analysis, Fib4 index was an independent factor for baPWV but not for IMT (IMT, p=0.498; baPWV, p=0.023). Figure 1 showed the result of ROC analysis to predict the high baPWV by Fib4 index. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.73, with the highest discriminating sensitivity and specificity at 0.71 and 0.65, respectively at Fib4 index = 1.27. Conclusions Fib4 index was significantly related to baPWV and could be the useful screening marker for arterial stiffness in a general men population. Figure 1. ROC curve analysis Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None