Prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in a middle-aged population with overweight and normal liver enzymes, and diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive proxies.

The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasing at an alarming rate. Elevated liver enzymes are a primary reason to refer patients for further testing. However, liver enzymes within the normal range do not exclude the presence of MASLD. We examined the prevalence of MASLD in a middle-aged population with overweight and normal liver enzymes. In addition, we examined the accuracy of 4 sets of noninvasive proxies for MASLD. We included 1017 participants from the Netherlands epidemiology of obesity cohort study with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and liver enzymes (asparate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase) within normal range. The diagnostic accuracy of biomarker scores (fatty liver index, liver fat score [LFS], STEATO-ELSA, and hepatic steatosis index) was determined against elevated hepatic triglyceride content measured by 1proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Participants (mean age 56 years, 49% women), had a median body mass index of 29.6 kg/m2 and a median hepatic triglyceride content of 4.4%. MASLD was present in 42% of participants and was more common in men than women, with respectively 47% and 36% being affected. The LFS showed the highest accuracy with an area under the curve of 0.72. We identified metabolic syndrome as the prime predictor for MASLD with an odds ratio of 2.95 (95% confidence interval 2.20-3.98). The prevalence of MASLD in middle-aged men and women with overweight and liver enzymes within the normal range is over 40%. LFS showed the highest accuracy to detect MASLD, but, overall, biomarker scores performed relatively poor. The presence of metabolic syndrome was the prime predictor of MASLD.

Subluxation of the first carpometacarpal joint and age are important factors in reduced hand strength in patients with hand osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the determinants of hand strength in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). METHOD: Pinch and cylinder grip strength were measured in 527 patients with hand OA diagnosed by their treating rheumatologist from the Hand OSTeoArthritis in Secondary care (HOSTAS) study. Radiographs of hands (22 joints) were scored 0-3 (scaphotrapeziotrapezoid and first interphalangeal joints 0-1) on osteophytes and joint space narrowing following the Osteoarthritis Research Society International atlas. The first carpometacarpal joint (CMC1) was scored 0-1 for subluxation. Pain was assessed with the Australian/Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index pain subscale, and health-related quality of life with the Short Form-36. Regression analysis served to investigate associations of hand strength with patient, disease, and radiographic features. RESULTS: Hand strength was negatively associated with female sex, age, and pain. Reduced hand strength was associated with reduced quality of life, although less after adjusting for pain. Radiographic features of hand OA were associated with reduced grip strength when solely adjusted for sex and body mass index, but only CMC1 subluxation in the dominant hand remained significantly associated with pinch grip adjusted additionally for age (-0.511 kg, 95% confidence interval -0.975; -0.046). Mediation analysis showed low and not significant percentages of mediation of hand OA in the association between age and grip strength. CONCLUSIONS: Subluxation of CMC1 is associated with reduced grip strength, whereas associations with other radiographic features seem to be confounded by age. In the relationship between age and hand strength, radiographic hand OA severity is not an important mediator.

The argument for adopting a jurisprudence platform for scientific misconduct.

In this paper we will describe the arguments to adopt a jurisprudence platform for scientific misconduct, we argue that this will increase the principle of legal certainty, improve procedures, and will promote scientific integrity in other, indirect ways. With the platform that we are currently setting up in the Netherlands as a motivating example, we finally also describe the prerequisites for such a platform, its contents as well as its value in the international context.

The association of clinical and structural knee osteoarthritis with physical activity in the middle-aged population: the NEO study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if knee osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with lower physical activity in the general middle-aged Dutch population, and if physical activity is associated with patient-reported outcomes in knee OA. DESIGN: Clinical knee OA was defined in the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity population using the ACR criteria, and structural knee OA on MRI. We assessed knee pain and function with the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Score (KOOS), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the Short Form-36, and physical activity (in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) hours) with the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-enhancing physical activity. We analysed the associations of knee OA with physical activity, and of physical activity with knee pain, function, and HRQoL in knee OA with linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Clinical knee OA was present in 14% of 6,212 participants, (mean age 56 years, mean BMI 27 kg/m2, 55% women, 24% having any comorbidity) and structural knee OA in 12%. Clinical knee OA was associated with 9.60 (95% CI 3.70; 15.50) MET hours per week more physical activity, vs no clinical knee OA. Structural knee OA was associated with 3.97 (-7.82; 15.76) MET hours per week more physical activity, vs no structural knee OA. In clinical knee OA, physical activity was not associated with knee pain, function or HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Knee OA was not associated with lower physical activity, and in knee OA physical activity was not associated with patient-reported outcomes. Future research should indicate the optimal treatment advice regarding physical activity for individual knee OA patients.

Coded diagnoses from general practice electronic health records are a feasible and valid alternative to self-report to define diabetes cases in research.

AIMS: To examine the feasibility and validity of obtaining International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC)-coded diagnoses of diabetes mellitus (DM) from general practice electronic health records for case definition in epidemiological studies, as alternatives to self-reported DM. METHODS: The Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study is a population-based cohort study of 6671 persons aged 45-65 years at baseline, included between 2008-2012. Data from electronic health records were collected between 2012-2014. We defined a reference standard using diagnoses, prescriptions and consultation notes and investigated its agreement with ICPC-coded diagnoses of DM and self-reported DM. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 1.8 years, data from 6442 (97%) participants were collected. With the reference standard, 506 participants (79/1000 person-years) were classified with prevalent DM at baseline and 131 participants (11/1000 person-years) were classified with incident DM during follow-up. The agreement of prevalent DM between self-report and the reference standard was 98% (kappa 0.86), the agreement between ICPC-coded diagnoses and the reference standard was 99% (kappa 0.95). The agreement of incident DM between ICPC-coded diagnoses and the reference standard was >99% (kappa 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: ICPC-coded diagnoses of DM from general practice electronic health records are a feasible and valid alternative to self-reported diagnoses of DM.

Effusion attenuates the effect of synovitis on radiographic progression in patients with hand osteoarthritis: a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study.

An exploratory study to determine the role of effusion, i.e., fluid in the joint, in pain, and radiographic progression in patients with hand osteoarthritis. Distal and proximal interphalangeal joints (87 patients, 82% women, mean age 59 years) were assessed for pain. T2-weighted and Gd-chelate contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were scored for enhanced synovial thickening (EST, i.e., synovitis), effusion (EST and T2-high signal intensity [hsi]) and bone marrow lesions (BMLs). Effusion was defined as follows: (1) T2-hsi > 0 and EST = 0; or 2) T2-hsi = EST but in different joint locations. Baseline and 2-year follow-up radiographs were scored following Kellgren-Lawrence, increase ≥ 1 defined progression. Associations between the presence of effusion and pain and radiographic progression, taking into account EST and BML presence, were explored on the joint level. Effusion was present in 17% (120/691) of joints, with (63/120) and without (57/120) EST. Effusion on itself was not associated with pain or progression. The association with pain and progression, taking in account other known risk factors, was stronger in the absence of effusion (OR [95% CI] 1.7 [1.0-2.9] and 3.2 [1.7-5.8]) than in its presence (1.6 [0.8-3.0] and 1.3 [0.5-3.1]). Effusion can be assessed on MR images and seems not to be associated with pain or radiographic progression but attenuates the association between synovitis and progression. Key Points • Effusion is present apart from synovitis in interphalangeal joints in patients with hand OA. • Effusion in finger joints can be assessed as a separate feature on MR images. • Effusion seems to be of importance for its attenuating effect on the association between synovitis and radiographic progression.

Prevalence and Incidence of Non-neutralizing Antibodies in Congenital Hemophilia A- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: In hemophilia A the presence of non-neutralizing antibodies (NNAs) against Factor VIII (FVIII) may predict the development of neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) and accelerate the clearance of administrated FVIII concentrates. This systematic review aimed to assess: (1) the prevalence and incidence of NNAs in patients with congenital hemophilia without inhibitors and (2) the association between NNAs and patient and treatment characteristics. Methods: We conducted a search in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane database. We included cross-sectional and longitudinal studies reporting on NNAs in patients with hemophilia A and B, who were inhibitor-negative at the start of the observation period. Data were extracted on: hemophilia type and severity, patient and treatment characteristics, NNA prevalence and incidence, NNA assays and inhibitor development. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment, using adapted criteria of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Studies were classified as high-quality when ≥5/9 criteria were met. NNA assays were classified as high-quality when both quality criteria were met: (1) use of positive controls and (2) competition with FVIII to establish FVIII-specificity. We reported NNA prevalence and incidence for each study. The pooled NNA prevalence was assessed for well-designed studies in previously treated patients, employing high-quality NNA assays. Results: We included data from 2,723 inhibitor-negative patients with hemophilia A, derived from 28 studies. Most studies were cross-sectional (19/28) and none reported on NNAs in hemophilia B. Study design was of high quality in 16/28 studies and the NNA assay quality was high in 9/28 studies. Various NNA assays were used, predominantly ELISA (18/28) with different cut-off values. We found a large variety in NNA prevalence (Range, 0-100%). The pooled NNA prevalence in high-quality studies was 25% (95% CI, 16-38%). The incidence of new NNA development was reported in one study (0.01 NNA per person-exposure day). Conclusion: This systematic review identified studies that were heterogeneous in study design, patient population and NNA assay type, with NNA prevalence ranging from 0 to 100% in inhibitor-negative patients with hemophilia A. The pooled NNA prevalence was 25% in high-quality studies including only previously treated patients and performing high-quality NNA assays.

Percentile curves for the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score in the middle-aged Dutch population.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the interpretation of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in individual patients, we explored associations with age, sex, BMI, history of knee injury and presence of clinical knee osteoarthritis, and developed percentile curves. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data of middle-aged individuals from the population-based Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity (NEO) study. Clinical knee osteoarthritis was defined using the ACR classification criteria. KOOS scores were handled according to the manual (zero = extreme problems, 100 = no problems). Patient characteristics associated with KOOS were explored using ordered logistic regression, and sex and body mass index (BMI)-specific percentile curves were developed using quantile regression with fractional polynomials. The curves were applied as a benchmark for comparison of KOOS scores of participants with knee osteoarthritis and comorbidities. RESULTS: The population consisted of 6,643 participants (56% women, mean (SD) age 56(6) years). Population-based KOOS subscale scores (median; interquartile range) near optimum: pain (100;94-100), symptoms (96;86-100), ADL function (100;96-100), sport/recreation function (100;80-100), quality of life (100;75-100). Worse KOOS scores were observed in women and in participants with higher BMI. Clinical knee osteoarthritis was defined in 15% of participants, and was, in comparison to other patient characteristics, associated with the highest odds of worse KOOS scores. Furthermore, presence of any comorbidity and cardiovascular disease specifically, was associated with worse KOOS scores, particularly in women. CONCLUSIONS: In the middle-aged Dutch population KOOS scores were generally good, but worse in women and with higher BMI. These percentile curves may be used as benchmarks in research and clinical practice.

The association between leptin concentration and blood coagulation: Results from the NEO study.

BACKGROUND: The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin has been associated with altered blood coagulation in in vitro studies. However, it is unclear whether this association is relevant in vivo and to what extent this association is influenced by total body fat. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between serum leptin and blood coagulation while taking total body fat into account in a population-based cohort study. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis with baseline measurements of 5797 participants of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity (NEO) study, a population-based cohort of middle-aged men and women. We examined associations between serum leptin concentration and coagulation factor concentrations and parameters of platelet activation in linear regression analyses. All analyses were adjusted for multiple covariates, including total body fat. RESULTS: In multivariable adjusted analyses a 1 µg/L higher serum leptin concentration was associated with a 0.22 IU/dL (95% CI: 0.11, 0.32) higher FVIII concentration and a 0.20 IU/dL (95% CI: 0.14, 0.27) higher FIX concentration (3.5 IU/dL FVIII and 3.2 IU/dL FIX per SD leptin). Serum leptin concentration was not associated with FXI, fibrinogen, platelet count, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in multivariable adjusted analyses. DISCUSSION: This study showed that serum leptin concentration was associated with higher concentrations of FVIII and FIX in an observational study, which could be clinically relevant.

The association of plasma fatty acids with hand and knee osteoarthritis: the NEO study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of postprandial and fasting plasma saturated fatty acid (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) concentrations with hand and knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: In the population-based NEO study clinical hand and knee OA were defined by the ACR classification criteria. Structural knee OA was defined on MRI. Hand and knee pain was determined by Australian/Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index (AUSCAN) and KOOS, respectively. Plasma was sampled fasted and 150 min after a standardized meal, and subsequently analysed using a nuclear magnetic resonance platform. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association of total fatty acid, SFA, MUFA, total PUFA, omega-3 PUFA and omega-6 PUFA concentrations with clinical hand and knee OA, structural knee OA and hand and knee pain. Fatty acid concentrations were standardized (mean 0, SD 1). Analyses were stratified by sex and corrected for age, education, ethnicity and total body fat percentage. RESULTS: Of the 5,328 participants (mean age 56 years, 58% women) 7% was classified with hand OA, 10% with knee OA and 4% with concurrent hand and knee OA. In men, postprandial SFAs (OR (95% CI)) 1.23 (1.00; 1.50), total PUFAs 1.26 (1.00; 1.58) and omega-3 PUFAs 1.24 (1.01; 1.52) were associated with hand OA. SFAs and PUFAs were associated with structural, but not clinical knee OA. Association of fasting fatty acid concentrations were weaker than postprandial concentrations. CONCLUSION: Plasma postprandial SFA and PUFA levels were positively associated with clinical hand and structural knee OA in men, but not in women.

The role of leptin and adiponectin as mediators in the relationship between adiposity and hand and knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations of leptin and adiponectin levels with knee and hand osteoarthritis, and explore whether these mediate the association between adiposity and osteoarthritis. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the population-based Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study. Adiposity was assessed with body mass index (BMI) and percentage total body fat (%TBF). Osteoarthritis, defined as hand or knee osteoarthritis, was determined using American College of Rheumatology criteria. Fasting serum adipokine levels were measured using immunoassays. Associations between adiposity and osteoarthritis were examined with logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity and education, and additionally for leptin and adiponectin as potential mediators. RESULTS: In 6408 participants (56% women, median age 56 years), prevalence of osteoarthritis was 22% (10% isolated knee and 8% isolated hand osteoarthritis). Leptin levels were positively associated with osteoarthritis, while adiponectin levels were not. Leptin partially mediated the association of adiposity with osteoarthritis (OR 1.40 (95%CI 1.30; 1.52) attenuated to 1.38 (1.24; 1.54) per 5 units BMI and OR 1.25 (1.17; 1.35) to 1.20 (1.10; 1.32) per 5 units %TBF, representing 4% and 17% mediation, respectively). Larger proportion mediation by leptin was found in knee (13%/27%) than in hand osteoarthritis (9%/18%). Sex-stratified analyses generally showed stronger associations between adiposity, leptin and osteoarthritis in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: Serum leptin levels were associated with osteoarthritis, and partially mediated the association between adiposity and osteoarthritis, while adiponectin levels were not associated with osteoarthritis. These findings provide evidence for systemic effects of adipose tissue in osteoarthritis.

The role of inflammation in the association between overall and visceral adiposity and subclinical atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammation may underlie the association between obesity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. We investigated to what extent markers of inflammation mediate associations between overall and visceral body fat and subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this cross-sectional analysis of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study we estimated total body fat (TBF) by bio-impedance analysis, carotid artery intima media thickness (cIMT) by ultrasound, C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) concentrations in fasting blood samples (n = 5627), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) by magnetic resonance imaging (n = 2247). We examined associations between TBF and VAT, and cIMT using linear regression, adjusted for potential confounding factors, and for mediators: cardiometabolic risk factors (blood pressure, glucose and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and inflammation using CRP and GlycA as proxies. Mean (SD) cIMT was 615 (90) µm. Per SD of TBF (8%), cIMT was 19 µm larger (95% confidence interval, CI: 10, 28). This association was 17 µm (95% CI: 8, 27) after adjustment for cardiometabolic risk factors, and did not change after adjustment for markers of inflammation. Per SD (56 cm2) VAT, cIMT was 9 µm larger (95% CI: 2, 16) which changed to 5 µm (95% CI: -3, 12) after adjustment for cardiometabolic risk factors, and did not change after adjustment for inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that associations between measures of overall and visceral body fat and subclinical atherosclerosis are not mediated by inflammation as measured by CRP and GlycA. Obesity may exert cardiovascular risk via other markers of systemic inflammation.

In finger osteoarthritis, change in synovitis is associated with change in pain on a joint-level; a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate determinants of decrease and increase in joint pain in symptomatic finger osteoarthritis (OA) on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging over 2 years. DESIGN: Eighty-five patients (81.2% women, mean age 59.2 years) with primary hand OA (89.4% fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria) from a rheumatology outpatient clinic received contrast-enhanced MR imaging (1.5T) and physical examination of the right interphalangeal finger joints 2-5 at baseline and at follow-up 2 years later. MR images were scored paired in unknown time order, following the Hand OA MRI scoring system (HOAMRIS). Joint pain upon palpation was assessed by research nurses. Odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence intervals) were estimated on joint level (n = 680), using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for the within patient effects. Additional adjustments were made for change in MR-defined osteophytes, synovitis, and bone marrow lesions (BMLs). RESULTS: Of 116 painful joints at baseline, at follow-up: 76 had less pain, 21 less synovitis, and 13 less BMLs. A decrease in synovitis (OR = 5.9; 1.12─31.0), but not in BMLs (OR = 0.39; 0.10─1.50), was associated with less pain. Of 678 joints without maximum baseline pain, at follow-up: 115 had increased pain, 132 increased synovitis, 96 increased BMLs, and 44 increased osteophytes. Increased synovitis (OR = 1.81; 1.11─2.94), osteophytes (OR = 2.75; 1.59─4.8), but not BMLs (OR = 1.14; 0.81─1.60), was associated with increased pain. Through stratification it became apparent that BMLs were mainly acting as effect modifier of the synovitis-pain association. CONCLUSION: Decrease in MR-defined synovitis is associated with reduced joint pain, identifying synovitis as a possible target for treatment of finger OA.

High levels of coagulation factors and venous thrombosis risk: strongest association for factor VIII and von Willebrand factor.

Essentials Elevated procoagulant levels are associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis (VT). The dependency on concurrent increased factor levels and VT was analyzed in a large study. Factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) were associated with the highest VT risk. The risks for other procoagulant factor levels were largely explained by FVIII and VWF. SUMMARY: Background Coagulation factors are essential for robust clot formation. However, elevated levels of procoagulant factors are associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis (VT). The precise contribution of these factors to the development of VT is not yet understood. Objectives We determined the thrombosis risk for the highest levels of eight selected coagulation factors. Furthermore, we analyzed which of these coagulation factors had the strongest impact on the supposed association. Methods We used data of 2377 patients with a first VT and 2940 control subjects in whom fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (VWF), factor II, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX and FXI levels were measured. Results The odds ratios (ORs) for the various coagulation factor levels (> 99th percentile versus ≤ 25th percentile) varied between 1.8 and 4, except for FVIII (OR 23.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.7-36.0) and VWF (OR 24.0; 95% CI 15.3-37.3). Adjustment for FVIII and VWF in a mediation analysis reduced the risks of the other factors to unity, with the exception of FIX and FXI (remaining ORs between 1.7 and 1.9). Conversely, the ORs for FVIII and VWF levels remained high after adjustment for all other procoagulant factors (FVIII: 16.0; 95% CI 9.7-26.3; VWF: 17.6; 95% CI 10.7-28.8). Conclusions Our results imply that the observed relationship between VT and coagulation factor levels can be largely explained by FVIII and VWF. FVIII and VWF levels were also associated with the highest VT risk.

Genetic determinants of activity and antigen levels of contact system factors.

Essentials Genetic variation may provide valuable insight into the role of the contact system in thrombosis. Explored associations of genetic variants with activity, antigen, and disease in RATIO study. Two novel loci were identified: KLKB1 rs4253243 for prekallikrein; KNG1 rs5029980 for HMWK levels. Contact system variants and haplotypes were not associated with myocardial infarction or stroke. SUMMARY: Background The complex, interdependent contact activation system has been implicated in thrombotic disease, although few genetic determinants of levels of proteins from this system are known. Objectives Our primary aim was to study the influence of common F11, F12, KLKB1, and KNG1 variants on factor (F) XI activity and FXI, FXII, prekallikrein (PK) and high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK) antigen levels, as well as the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Patients/methods We analyzed samples from all 630 healthy participants, 182 ischemic stroke patients and 216 myocardial infarction patients in the RATIO case-control study of women aged < 50 years. Forty-three tagging single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were genotyped to represent common genetic variation in the contact system genes. Antigen and activity levels were measured with sandwich-ELISA-based and one-stage clotting assays. We performed single variant, age-adjusted, linear regression analyses per trait and disease phenotype, assuming additive inheritance and determined conditionally independent associations. Haplotypes based on the lead SNV and all conditionally independent SNVs were tested for association with traits and disease. Results We identified two novel associations of KLKB1 SNV rs4253243 with PK antigen (ßconditional = -12.38; 95% CI, -20.07 to -4.69) and KNG1 SNV rs5029980 with HMWK antigen (ßconditional = 5.86; 95% CI, 2.40-9.32) and replicated previously reported associations in a single study. Further analyses probed whether the observed associations were indicative of linkage, pleiotropic effects or mediation. No individual SNVs or haplotypes were associated with the disease outcomes. Conclusion This study adds to current knowledge of how genetic variation influences contact system protein levels and clarifies interdependencies.

Borderline Q-waves in individuals without overt cardiovascular disease: Relations with adiposity, subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Characteristics and risk factors associated with electrocardiographic borderline Q-waves are not fully elucidated, especially in individuals without overt cardiovascular disease (CVD). Also, the relation of isolated and non-isolated borderline Q-waves with subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular stiffness is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 5746 Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study participants without overt CVD. Participants were divided in three groups: no Q-waves (93.7%), isolated (4.6%) and non-isolated borderline Q-waves (1.7%). Borderline Q-waves were defined as Minnesota Codes 1.2.x and 1.3.x and non-isolated as ≥1 of abnormal QRS axis, left ventricular hypertrophy or ST/T abnormalities. Several characteristics and measures of body fat were assessed. Vascular stiffness was assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and subclinical atherosclerosis by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Percentage of men, alcohol intake, blood pressure and fasting glucose concentrations were, compared with no Q-waves, higher in the isolated and highest in the non-isolated borderline Q-wave group. Isolated borderline Q-waves were associated with higher body mass index (difference compared with no Q-waves: 1.0 kg/m2; 95%CI: 0.3-1.7; p-value: 0.006), waist circumference (3.4 cm; 1.0-5.8; 0.005), and visceral adipose tissue (21.9 cm2; 7.4-36.3; 0.003) and differences were even larger for non-isolated borderline Q-waves. Compared with no Q-waves, non-isolated borderline Q-waves were associated with higher PWV (1.2 m/s; 0.4-2.0; 0.004) and cIMT (23.4 µm; 3.0-43.8; 0.024), whereas isolated borderline Q-waves were not. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors and measures of body fat, especially abdominal adiposity, were higher in participants with isolated borderline Q-waves, compared with no Q-waves, and highest in the non-isolated borderline Q-wave group. Non-isolated borderline Q-waves were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular stiffness. Future studies should investigate potential added value of borderline Q-waves in CVD prediction.