Carotid and femoral plaques are distinct entities

Circulating osteoprotegerin and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal non diabetic women

PURPOSE

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a bone metabolism regulator but it is also involved in vascular calcification. Its role in the development of atherosclerosis is still a subject of debate. Postmenopausal women seem to have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between serum OPG and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal non-diabetic women.

MATERIAL/METHODS

Carotid artery examination was performed in 100 postmenopausal women without diabetes mellitus and overt cardiovascular disease, using B-mode ultrasonography to determine the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the presence of plaques. Serum OPG was measured in all study participants and its relationship with clinical, biochemical and vascular parameters was evaluated.

RESULTS

CIMT correlated with age (r=0.45, p<0.001), years since menopause (r=0.30, p=0.003), abdominal circumference (r=0.25, p=0.01) and OPG (r=0.23, p=0.02). Carotid plaques correlated with age (p<0.001), obesity (p=0.03), abdominal circumference (p=0.03) and CIMT (p<0.001), but not with serum OPG (p=0.86). In regression analyses the independent predictors for CIMT were age (β=0.717, p<0.001), OPG (β=0.214, p=0.02), and years since menopause (β=-0.334, p=0.04) and for the presence of carotid plaques were obesity (p=0.04, OR=3.90), CIMT (p<0.001, OR=6408.86) and smoking (p=0.02, OR=687.93).

CONCLUSION

OPG is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, CIMT, but not with the presence of asymptomatic carotid plaques in non diabetic postmenopausal women. OPG may be a marker of cardiovascular risk.