Value of the arterial stiffness index and ankle brachial index in subclinical atherosclerosis screening in healthy community-dwelling individuals

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and the carotid plaque score (cPS) are valid markers for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis. Evaluation of ASI and ABI for detection of atherosclerosis is assessed in this study. Finding a model to see which individual has a risk of having atherosclerosis, so those people can be further assessed by invasive but more accurate atherosclerosis detection methods like angiography is another objective of this study. METHODS: Data of 212 healthy community-dwelling subjects, consisting of carotid duplex records, ASI and ABI measurements, certain laboratory tests, and related cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks were analyzed for correlations. RESULTS: The ABI was independently associated with high cPS. Age, hypertension and Waist circumference are determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis as in high cIMT and high cPS. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the ASI cannot replace carotid ultrasound in detecting subclinical atherosclerosis because it is not independently associated with high cIMT and cPS while ABI can be used in detection of high cPS in healthy community-dwelling individuals. Public health policies to encourage weight reduction and treating hypertension can help prevention of subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy community-dwelling individuals. Models consist of age, body compositions like waist circumference and hypertension history can be used in further assessment of atherosclerosis.