P.016 The Assessment of Endothelial Function in Brachial Artery may Contribute to the Discrimination of the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and endothelial dysfunction in middle-aged subjects with signs of central obesity but without overt cardiovascular disease.

Methods

We studied 176 subjects (age 49.1 ± 6.4, 40% of males) diagnosed with central obesity according to the IDF criteria. Patients underwent the detailed evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors (including blood tests for high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, serum glucose and lipid profile) and the evaluation of endothelial function by ultrasound assessment of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in the brachial artery.

Results

Totally 120 subjects (68%) were diagnosed with MetS, 56 (32%) had isolated central obesity or central obesity plus one additional component of MetS. FMD was significantly lower in patients with MetS as compared to the subjects without it (6.4 ± 3.9% and 7.8 ± 3.9%, p = 0.029), although groups did not differ significantly regarding age, gender, diameter of the brachial artery, family history and smoking status. Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) but not fibrinogen was higher in patients with MetS (p = 0.013 and p = 0.47, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of MetS is significantly predicted by the decrease of high density lipoproteins and flow-mediated dilatation (p = 0.0053 and p = 0.0054).

Conclusion

Association between impaired endothelial function and the presence of metabolic syndrome suggests that the assessment of endothelial function can have an additive value in the discrimination of patients with MetS.