Cross-sectional association between body fat percentage and arteriosclerosis assessed by Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in a Chinese population: a retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate arteriosclerosis using Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) and to explore the relation between the body fat percentage (BFP) and CAVI. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1152 patients admitted to a geriatric unit and general practice at a mega hospital in Wuhan, China, from November 2018 to November 2019 were included in this study. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Association between BFP and CAVI. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BFP was positively correlated with CAVI after correction for potential confounding variables (β=0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.05); this association persisted after BFP was treated by quartile categorical variables and the trend test was statistically significant (p for trend=0.002). Meanwhile, the generalised additive model showed a non-linear association between BFP and CAVI. When BFP<20.6%, BFP is not associated with CAVI for (β=−0.02; 95% CI: −0.06 to 0.03), but when BFP≥20.6%, there is a linear positive association between BFP and CAVI (β=0.05; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.07). Subgroup analysis showed that there was an interaction between BFP and CAVI in the age stratification (p interaction=0.038). CONCLUSION: BFP was non-linearly correlated with CAVI, with a 0.05 increase in CAVI for every 1% increase in BFP when BFP≥20.6% and a 0.03 increase in CAVI in those >65 years of age.