Framingham Cardiovascular Score Research Articles

Relationship of Established Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Peripheral Biomarkers on Cognitive Function in Adults at Risk of Cognitive Deterioration.

There is a paucity of information on the role of microvascular and inflammatory biomarkers in cognitive dysfunction. This study sought to evaluate the relationships between established and a number of peripheral biomarkers on cognitive patterns in 108 older adults with memory complaints. Participants in the AIBL Active study aged 60 years and older with at least one vascular risk factor and memory complaints completed a neuropsychological test battery and provided cross-sectional health data. Linear regression models adjusted for covariates examined associations between cognitive performance and a panel of vascular risk factors (Framingham cardiovascular scores, hs-CRP, homocysteine, fasting glucose, LDL-cholesterol) and peripheral biomarkers (TNF-α, BDNF, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PAI-1, CD40L). Higher fasting glucose and homocysteine levels were independent factors associated with poorer performance in Trail Making Test (TMT) B (adjusted β= 0.40±0.10 and 0.43±0.09, respectively). Increasing homocysteine levels were weakly associated with poorer global cognition and delayed recall (adjusted β= 0.23±0.10 and -0.20±0.10 respectively). Increasing Framingham cardiovascular scores were related to poorer performance in TMT B (β = 0.42±0.19). There was early evidence of associations between increasing plasma TNF-α and poorer TMT B (adjusted β = 0.21±0.10) and between increasing BDNF and better global cognition (β= -0.20±0.09). This study provides evidence to support the associations between vascular risk factors (Framingham scores, fasting glucose, and homocysteine) and poorer cognitive functions. Additionally, we measured several peripheral biomarkers to further investigate their associations with cognition. The relationship between TNF-α, BDNF, and cognitive performance in various domains may offer new insights into potential mechanisms in vascular cognitive impairment.

Role of γ-glutamyl transferase levels in prediction of high cardiovascular risk among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & objectives:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important cause of elevated liver functions. There is evidence showing an association between NAFLD and subclinical atherosclerosis independent of traditional risk factors. We undertook this retrospective study to determine the association of Framingham cardiovascular risk scoring system with liver function tests and inflammatory markers and to find the role of liver function tests in determination of CVD risk among non-obese and non-diabetic subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Methods:A total of 2058 patients were included in the study. Framingham cardiovascular risk scoring was done of all patients according to the age, gender, systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels, smoking and antihypertensive medication history. Liver function test, lipid profile, insulin, uric acid, ferritin levels, etc. were determined.Results:According to the ultrasonography findings, patients were grouped as without any fatty infiltration of the liver (control group) (n=982), mild (n=473), moderate (n=363) and severe fatty liver disease (n=240) groups. In severe fatty liver disease group, the mean Framingham cardiovascular risk score was significantly higher than that of other groups. There was a positive correlation between GGT, uric acid and ferritin levels with Framingham cardiovascular score. In multivariate analysis, high GGT levels were positively associated with high-risk disease presence (OR: 3.02, 95% CI: 2.62-3.42) compared to low GGT levels independent of the age and sex.Interpretation & conclusions:Cardiovascular disease risk increases with the presence and stage of fatty liver disease. Our findings showed a positive correlation between elevated GGT levels and Framingham cardiovascular risk scoring system among non-diabetic, non-obese adults which could be important in clinical practice. Though in normal limits, elevated GGT levels among patients with fatty liver disease should be regarded as a sign of increased cardiovascular disease risk. Larger studies are warranted to elucidate the role of GGT in prediction of cardiovascular risk.

Carotid artery intima media thickness, plaque and framingham cardiovascular score in Asia, Africa/Middle East and Latin America: the PARC-AALA Study

The PARC-AALA (Paroi artérielle et Risque Cardiovasculaire in Asia Africa/ Middle East and Latin America) study was designed to evaluate the correlation between intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCAIMT), carotid plaque and absolute cardiovascular risk in a multi-ethnic population. An international, cross-sectional, study including 79 centres from 21 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Two thousand three hundred and twenty-eight subjects, meeting all inclusion criteria, were stratified by risk factors groups (no modifiable factor or at least both uncontrolled hypertension and hypercholesterolemia). CCAIMT, presence of plaque and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed for each individual. Some intergeographical characteristics in demographics, and risk factors were found accompanying early atherosclerosis marker differences. In Asia where the subjects were at lower risk, the mean CCAIMT was 4% lower than in Africa/Middle East and Latin America. On multiple linear regression analysis CCAIMT and carotid plaque were independently associated with increased Framingham cardiovascular score (FCS) without heterogeneity across geographic regions. CCAIMT and carotid plaque explained roughly 20% of the FCS in both genders. The PARC-AALA study confirms the correlation between CCAIMT and FCS in three different populations. Intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque evaluation may represent a complementary predictive tool for detection of cardiovascular disease in individuals.

Correlation between the Framingham risk score and intima media thickness: The Paroi Artérielle et Risque Cardio-vasculaire (PARC) study

Aims Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) is associated with an increased risk of cardio-vascular events, but its correlation with the absolute cardio-vascular risk is not well known in large populations. The Paroi Artérielle et Risque Cardio-vasculaire (PARC) study was designed to evaluate the relationship between conventional assessment of the global cardio-vascular risk by means of the Framimgham score and measurement of IMT of the common carotid artery (CCAIMT). Methods and results About 246 French cardiologists selected 6416 subjects. CCAIMT measurements were performed using a specific methodology designed to harmonize the acquisition and processing of B-mode ultrasound images. The Framingham cardio-vascular score was determined for each individual. The relationship between CCAIMT and Framingham scores was evaluated using linear or polynomial models of regression. We found a significant correlation between CCAIMT and all components of the Framingham score ( p < 0.005 for all parameters). The Framingham score and CCAIMT values were non-linearly related (coefficients of determination R 2 were 19% and 20% in men, 28% and 29% in women, for subjects with and without personal history of cardio-vascular disease, respectively). The younger the subjects, the steeper the relationship, when the analysis was performed according to decades. Conclusions The Framingham score and CCAIMT values were significantly correlated. However variations in CCAIMT only explained a modest part of the Framingham score and vice versa.