Predicting the 10-year incidence of dyslipidemia based on novel anthropometric indices, using data mining.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to establish a 10-year dyslipidemia incidence model, investigating novel anthropometric indices using exploratory regression and data mining. METHODS: This data mining study was conducted on people who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia in phase 2 (n = 1097) of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study, who were compared with healthy people in this phase (n = 679). The association of dyslipidemia with several novel anthropometric indices including Conicity Index (C-Index), Body Roundness Index (BRI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), Weight-Adjusted-Waist Index (WWI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and Body Surface Area (BSA) was evaluated. Logistic Regression (LR) and Decision Tree (DT) analysis were utilized to evaluate the association. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of DT were assessed through the performance of a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve using R software. RESULTS: A total of 1776 subjects without dyslipidemia during phase 1 were followed up in phase 2 and enrolled into the current study. The AUC of models A and B were 0.69 and 0.63 among subjects with dyslipidemia, respectively. VAI has been identified as a significant predictor of dyslipidemias (OR: 2.81, (95% CI: 2.07, 3.81)) in all models. Moreover, the DT showed that VAI followed by BMI and LAP were the most critical variables in predicting dyslipidemia incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, model A had an acceptable performance for predicting 10 years of dyslipidemia incidence. Furthermore, the VAI, BMI, and LAP were the principal anthropometric factors for predicting dyslipidemia incidence by LR and DT models.

Association of time-restricted feeding, arterial age, and arterial stiffness in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a kind of intermittent fasting defined as eating and drinking only during a certain number of hours in a day. It has been suggested that intermittent fasting may improve cardiovascular risk factors. This study evaluated the association of TRF and arterial stiffness, using pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse wave analysis, and arterial age in metabolic syndrome participants. Methods: A cohort study was carried out among metabolic syndrome adults who were followed over the Ramadan fasting period (used as a model of TRF since food was only allowed for about 8 h/day). The subjects were divided into Ramadan fasting and Ramadan nonfasting groups. The aortic PWV and central aortic pressure waveform were measured. Central systolic pressure, central pulse pressure, and indices of arterial compliance, such as augmentation pressure and augmentation index (AIx), were determined from waveform analysis. Results: Ninety-five adults (31.57% female, age: 45.46 ± 9.10 years) with metabolic syndrome (based on the International Diabetes Federation definition) participated in this study. Ramadan fasting and Ramadan nonfasting groups were including 80 and 15 individuals respectively. A significant reduction was seen in PWV (0.29 m/s), central systolic pressure (4.03 mmHg), central pulse pressure (2.43 mmHg), central augmentation pressure (1.88 mmHg), and central AIx (2.47) in the Ramadan fasting group (p = 0.014, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.036 respectively). There were no significant changes in these indices among the Ramadan nonfasting group. Conclusions: This study suggested that TRF reduces arterial age and improves arterial stiffness among people with metabolic syndrome. This might be considered a beneficial nutrition strategy for extending healthspan (and perhaps longevity).

Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness and Its Relation to Innovative Anthropometric Indices in Persian Adults.

Background: BMI has been evaluated as an old criterion to evaluate obesity in individuals, but it does not assess abdominal obesity and lean mass. We aimed to evaluate the possible relationship of new anthropometric indices (namely, a body shape index (ABSI), the body roundness index (BRI), the visceral adiposity index (VAI), the visceral fat area (VFA), and waist-hip ratio (WHR)), with one of the known critical factors of atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness. Methods: Overall 5921 individuals were enrolled and were divided into four groups according to BMI. Novel anthropometric parameters including, ABSI, BRI, VAI, VFA, and WHR were calculated. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) was used to evaluate arterial stiffness. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between cf-PWV and innovative Anthropometric indices. Results: This study population consisted of 3109 women and 2812 males. In men with overweight, cf-PWV was significantly related to BMI, ABSI, BRI, WC, VAI, VFA, and WHR. However, among men with obesity, cf-PWV was associated with BRI, VAI, and VFA. Among women with overweight, cf-PWV was also related to all mentioned indices except ABSI; although, cf-PWV was only associated with VFA and WHR in women with obesity. Conclusion: Our results showed that VFA in women and VAI in men are strongly related to arterial stiffness and can be used to identify predictors of vascular disease or organic vascular dysfunction.

Relationship between anthropometric indices and arterial stiffness: Insights from an epidemiologic study.

Background: Obesity and arteriosclerosis are both independently associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Obesity also may increase arterial stiffness. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the association between anthropometric indices and non-invasive arterial stiffness parameters, using data from a large population-based cohort of seemingly healthy women and men. Methods: A total of 5023 eligible participants were included in the study. The pulse wave velocity (PWV), central blood pressures, and bio-impedance measures were obtained at the time of enrollment. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between anthropometric indices with arterial stiffness parameters. Results: The mean age of participants was 45.3 ± 8.8 years, 2368 (47.1%) were males and 2655 (52.8%) were females. The prevalence of participant with underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity were 0.73%, 33.2%, 48.7%, and 17.2% respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fatty liver, and hypertension were significantly higher in overweight/obesity participants. The overweight/obesity participants had significantly higher PWV than the normal-weight group (471.5 ± 42.6/496.7 ± 47.5 cm/s vs. 448.1 ± 41.4 cm/s, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, chronic lung disease, and also kidney stones were significantly higher in overweight and individuals with obesity. Body mass index, body fat mass, waist-hip ratio abdominal circumference, neck circumference, visceral fat area, total body water, 50-kHz whole body phase angle are positively correlated with PWV. Augmentation index had no significant correlation with body mass index, arm, hip, and abdominal circumferences.

The Association between Anthropometry Indices and Serum Concentrations of Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Alanine Aminotransferase, and Aspartate Aminotransferase.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a great public health crisis that threatens too many lives worldwide. Many previous studies have been investigated the association between MetS and anthropometric indices. This study is aimed at investigating the association between anthropometric indices with gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). We were using data from a large population-based cohort of seemingly healthy women and men. METHODS: A total of 7216 participants were included in this study. The serum levels of GGT, ALP, ALT, and AST with bioimpedance measures were obtained at the time of enrollment. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between anthropometric indices and serum levels of the aforementioned laboratory tests. RESULTS: Serum levels of GGT, ALP, ALT, and AST significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI). Only ALP had a significant association with visceral fat area (VFA). AST, ALT, and ALP levels had a positive correlation with 50 kHz whole-body phase. CONCLUSION: From the findings of this study, body mass index consistently appeared a good predictor of elevated hepatic enzymes and triglycerides. Thus, it can be helpful in clinical settings to identify patients at risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is closely related to metabolic syndrome.

The Effect of Curcumin Supplementation on Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in many societies. Arterial stiffness is an initial sign of structural and functional changes in the arterial wall. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the gold standard for non-invasive evaluation of aortic stiffness and a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric with known anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Since arterial stiffness is affected by inflammation and oxidative stress, it may be improved by curcumin supplementation. The purpose of this clinical trial was to investigate the potential effects of curcumin on improving arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome. This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted among metabolic syndrome patients. Sixty-six eligible individuals were randomly assigned to active intervention or control groups. The active intervention group received curcumin supplement at a dose of 500 mg daily for 12 weeks, whereas the control group received placebo capsule. Physical activity, daily dietary energy intake, anthropometric body composition, and biochemical hemodynamic and arterial stiffness parameters were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study. Body weight decreased significantly in the curcumin group compared to placebo. Also, curcumin intervention improved PWV, which remained significant after adjustment for potential confounding factors (p = 0.011). The current clinical trial demonstrated that daily intake of 500 mg of curcumin for 12 weeks can lead to the improvement of arterial stiffness and weight management among subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Evaluation of non-invasive arterial stiffness parameters and their relationship with physical activity, anthropometric indices and lipid profiles in healthy middle-aged adults: Results of the PERSIAN cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness (AS) indicates the initial stage of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is associated with modifiable and lifestyle risk factors. We aimed to examine the association of AS with anthropometric indices, lipid profiles and physical activity (PA). METHODS: Six hundred and fifty-eight healthy middle-aged adults were selected and anthropometric indices [body mass index, waist circumferences (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), neck circumferences, a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), body fat mass (BFM), visceral fat area, fat-free mass (FFM), lipid profiles and PA] were measured. AS is measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and central augmentation index (cAIx). RESULTS: Our results show that cf-PWV was positively associated with TGs (ß = 0.10, P = .01) and anthropometric indices correlated with WC (ß = 0.11, P = .02), WHR (ß = 0.09, P = .03), WHtR (ß = 0.1, P = .02) and BRI (ß = 0.09, P = .04). cAIx was independently positively associated with cholesterol (ß = 0.08, P = .03), WC (ß = 0.1, P = .03), WHR (ß = 0.09, P = .02), ABSI (ß = 0.09, P = .01), BRI (ß = 0.08, P = .05), visceral fat area (ß = 0.09, P = .03) and BFM (ß = 0.08, P = .04) and negatively associated with PA (ß = -0.08, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: WC, WHR and BRI were associated with both cf-PWV and cAIx. TGs and WHtR were associated with cf-PWV, while cAIx was associated with ABSI, improving these indices may be helpful to prevent CVD.

Trend of blood pressure in hypertensive and normotensive volunteers during Ramadan fasting.

INTRODUCTION: It is believed that Ramadan fasting regulates blood pressure, heart rate, and other cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, observational study was carried out in two groups: one group included hypertensive patients treated with two antihypertensive agents (n=6) and the other group included healthy individuals (n=12). We performed 24-h blood pressure monitoring at four time points: before Ramadan, during the first and last 10 days of Ramadan, and 1 month after Ramadan. All hypertensive patients followed their twice-daily treatment regimen. Mean 24-h blood pressure (as well as mean blood pressure values during awake and sleep periods), body weight, and waist circumference were measured in the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the trends of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the hypertensive and nonhypertensive groups during Ramadan and 1 month after it. However, the trends of variations in heart rate and body weight were not significantly different in the two groups (P<0.001 and P=0.016, respectively). There was a significant increase in heart rate during the first period of Ramadan in hypertensive patients (P=0.018), whereas it improved during the post-Ramadan period in comparison with the second period of measurements (P=0.019). Furthermore, there was a significant decline in heart rate during the post-Ramadan measurement compared with that before Ramadan in the nonhypertensive group (P=0.008).In addition, there was a significant weight gain in the third period in comparison with the previous period in the hypertensive group (73.1±11 vs. 72.2±12; P=0.011). CONCLUSION: This finding indicates that Ramadan fasting might be nonthreatening for patients with essential hypertension if the treatment regimen is complied with.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that Ramadan fasting has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, however there are controversies. In the present study, the effect of Ramadan fasting on cardiovascular risk factors has been investigated. METHOD: This is a prospective observational study that was carried out in a group of patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor (including history of documented previous history of either coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease in past 10 y). Eighty two volunteers including 38 male and 44 female, aged 29-70 y, mean 54.0 ± 10 y, with a previous history of either coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome or cerebro-vascular disease were recruited. Subjects attended the metabolic unit after at least 10 h fasting, before and after Ramadan who were been fasting for at least 10 days. A fasting blood sample was obtained, blood pressure was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Lipids profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin, homocysteine (hcy), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and complete blood count (CBC) were analyzed on all blood samples. RESULTS: A significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk (based on Framingham risk score) was found (13.0 ± 8 before Ramadan and 10.8 ±7 after Ramadan, P <0.001, t test).There was a significant higher HDL-c, WBC, RBC and platelet count (PLT), and lower plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference after Ramadan (P <0.05, t test). The changes in FBS, insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), hcy, hs-CRP and diastolic blood pressure before and after Ramadan were not significant (P >0.05, t test). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a significant improvement in 10 years coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, BMI and waist circumference in subjects with a previous history of cardiovascular disease.