Carotid artery stiffness in rural adult Chinese: a cross-sectional analysis of the community-based China stroke cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To derive normative carotid artery stiffness data in rural adult Chinese population-based study of ultrasound measurements of carotid elasticity by using quality arterial stiffness (QAS), and to assess the changes of relevant parameters in Chinese adults 40 years of age and older. DESIGN: A China stroke cohort study (total number: 1586) in the northern countryside were carried out between June 2013 and April 2016, designed to investigate the risk factors of cardiovascular and age-related diseases. SETTING: The present study was a cross-sectional analysis of an ongoing community-based Shunyi cohort study in China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 583 participants (227 men and 356 women; aged 40–80 years) with ultrasound carotid QAS examination were retrieved from the study to analyse. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Arterial stiffness parameters included diastolic diameter (Dd), pulse wave velocity (PWV), stiffness indices α and β were calculated by QAS. Other clinical indicators included physical measurements, medical histories and blood biochemical test. RESULTS: In the entire study sample, mean Dd was 7.93±0.88 mm, mean PWV was 9.4±2.4 m/s, mean α was 7.65±5.13 and mean β was 15.53±10.29. PWV was significant higher in participants with hypertension (9.9 m/s vs 9.2 m/s in those without, p=0.002), and with diabetes (10.3 m/s vs 9.2 m/s in those without, p=0.003). PWV were significantly higher in participants with HbA1c at 5.8%–6.4% versus <5.8%, but no difference was found between subjects with glycohaemoglobin (HbA1c) at 5.8%–6.4% versus >6.4% (p=0.005, p=0.955, respectively). Age increase by every 10 years was associated with Dd increased by 0.27 mm, PWV increased by 1.2 m/s, α increased by 1.34 and β increased by 2.71. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase by every 10 mm Hg was associated with Dd increased by 0.15 mm, PWV increased by 0.35 m/s, α increased by 0.13 and β increased by 0.15. CONCLUSION: Among the participants older than 40 years, stiffness of the carotid artery had differences between hypertension and non-hypertension adults, as well as between diabetes and non-diabetes adults. Stiffness of the carotid artery also have differences between adults with HbA1c at 5.8%–6.4% versus <5.8%. Stiffness of the carotid artery increases with increasing age and increasing SBP at a range from 40 and up.