Gender Differences in Predictors of Left Ventricular Myocardial Relaxation in Non-Obese, Healthy Individuals

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicate that individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) might be at risk for left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. However, little is known about which metabolic factors contribute to the development of LV dysfunction in individuals who are not obese or overweight and who do not have diabetes mellitus and/or cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Participants without diabetes mellitus, systolic dysfunction, or other heart diseases underwent a thorough physical examination, including tissue Doppler echocardiography. A peak early mitral annular velocity (e′) of <5.0 was designated as indicating abnormal LV myocardial relaxation (LVMR). We performed single and multiple logistic regression analyses of e′ and cardiovascular risk factors, including MetS factors and indicators of major organ dysfunction. Normal-weight subjects (body mass index <25 kg/m(2)) were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1055 individuals (mean age, 63 ± 13 years) participated, of which 307 (29.1%) had MetS and 199 (18.9%) had abnormal LVMR. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed waist circumference (WC) (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, P < 0.05) and age (OR 1.10, P < 0.05) to be predictors of abnormal LVMR. In normal-weight subjects (n = 806), aging (OR 1.08, P < 0.01), abnormal WC (OR 3.80, P < 0.01), and renal dysfunction (OR 2.14, P < 0.01) were predictors of abnormal LVMR. Among MetS factors, abnormal WC in men (OR 3.70, P < 0.01) and high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in women (OR 4.00, P = 0.01) were related to abnormal LVMR.