The association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour with abdominal aortic calcification

Association between oxidative balance scores and severe abdominal aortic calcification in American adults: National health and nutrition examination survey

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a key predictor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) served as a tool to evaluate the systemic status of oxidative stress. However, evidence on the link between OBS and severe abdominal aortic calcification (SAAC) is currently inadequate. This study aims to establish this correlation in the US adult population, contributing valuable insights to the understanding of cardiovascular health.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In our study with 2745 participants from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we analyzed both OBS and AAC score data. Logistic regression and smooth curve fitting were used to investigate the relationship between OBS and SAAC. The overall prevalence of severe abdominal aortic calcification disease was 9.1%. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that higher oxidative balance scores were associated with a lower risk of SAAC. After adjusting for potential confounders (model III), for every 1-point increase in oxidative balance scores, the odds of SAAC decreased by 3% [OR = 0.97, 95% CI= (0.95,0.99), P = 0.03]. The dose-response relationship demonstrated a negative correlation between oxidative balance scores and SAAC (p for nonlinear = 0.368).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a negative association between oxidative balance scores and severe abdominal aortic calcification in US adults. The implications of these findings merit careful consideration and should be taken into account in the formulation of clinical guidelines and updates.

Associations between oxidation balance score and abdominal aortic calcification, and the mediating role of glycohemoglobin: a nationally representative cross-sectional study from NHANES

BACKGROUND

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is prevalent among middle-aged and elderly populations, elevating the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Leveraging data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional study. Our aim was to evaluate whether subjective interventions could influence AAC scores by modifying the antioxidant/pro-oxidant status of individuals and to investigate the role of glycohemoglobin in this relationship.

METHODS

The study analyzed data from 1,600 U.S. adults. The study used oxidation balance score (OBS) as an exposure variable derived from 16 dietary and 4 lifestyle factors, as well as glycohemoglobin obtained from blood tests. The main outcome measure was AAC, which was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorption and quantified by Kauppila scoring system.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the 1,600 patients was 56.53 (10.90) years, with a female predominance (50.22%). According to weighted linear regressions not adjusted for covariates, the AAC scores were lower in the third and fourth quartile groups of OBS than in the first quartile group of OBS (Q3: coefficients [coef], -0.92 [95% CI, -1.64 to-0.20], p = 0.017; Q4: coefficients [coef], -0.97 [95% CI, -1.86 ~ -0.08; p < 0.035]). According to the weighted linear regression subgroup analyses, there were no significant OBS-AAC correlations among males (p > 0.05), but there were significant correlations among females (p < 0.05). Smooth fitting curves showed a more significant trend of change in the negative correlation between OBS and AAC scores in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. In further mediation analyses, glycohemoglobin was identified as a mediator of the relationship between the oxidative balance score and AAC.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a significant negative correlation between OBS and AAC scores, particularly in postmenopausal women. The negative correlation between OBS and AAC is partly mediated by glycohemoglobin.

Association between domain-specific physical activity and triglyceride‑glucose (TyG) index among US adults: Evidence from NHANES 2007-2018

OBJECTIVES

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is not only a reliable marker for insulin resistance, but also has broad applications in assessing the risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to investigate the relationship between domain-specific moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and TyG index among US adults.

METHODS

The participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007-2018) were included. Different PA domains, including occupation-related MVPA (O-MVPA), transportation-related MVPA (T-MVPA), and leisure-time MVPA (LT-MVPA), were assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Weighted multivariable linear regression and the propensity score matching (PSM) method were used to determine the relationship between domain-specific MVPA and TyG index. Furthermore, stratified and mediation analyses were employed to assess the potential effect modifications and mediators on the association.

RESULTS

A total of 12,069 participants were included. The participants had a weighted mean age of 47.43 ± 16.91 years and a weighted mean TyG index of 8.58 ± 0.67. Weighted multivariable linear regression showed that leisure-time MVPA (LT-MVPA), whether at any amount or achieving physical activity guidelines, was negatively associated with TyG index (β = -0.10, 95%CI: -0.13- -0.07, P < 0.001, and β = -0.13, 95%CI: -0.17- -0.10, P < 0.001, respectively). O-MVPA and T-MVPA were not correlated with the TyG index, even at the recommended amount (β = 0.01, 95%CI: -0.02-0.03, P = 0.59 for O-MVPA, and β = -0.02, 95%CI: -0.07-0.02, P = 0.32 for T-MVPA). After PSM, the results were still robust. Furthermore, the stratified analysis found that the correlation between LT-MVPA and TyG index was stronger in females, those with higher family incomes, and non-smokers. Finally, mediation analyses indicated a significant joint mediation effect of BMI on the relationships between LT-MVPA (≥ 150 min/week) and the TyG index, accounting for 31.48% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

LT-MVPA was associated with a decreased TyG index in US adults, while no such association was observed with O-MVPA or T-MVPA. Specific recommendations for PA categories should be provided, especially for populations at risk of diseases linked to a high TyG index or insulin resistance.

Association of Life's Essential 8 with abdominal aortic calcification and mortality among middle-aged and older individuals

AIM

To assess the association of Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and the presence of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) with mortality among middle-aged and older individuals.

METHODS

Participants aged older than 40 years were enrolled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014. AAC was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Mortality data were ascertained through linkage with the National Death Index until 31 December 2019. The LE8 score incorporates eight components: diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressure. The total LE8 score, an unweighted average of all components, was categorized into low (0-49), medium (50-79) and high (80-100) scores.

RESULTS

This study included 2567 individuals, with a mean LE8 score of 67.28 ± 0.48 and an AAC prevalence of 28.28%. Participants with low LE8 scores showed a significantly higher prevalence of AAC (odds ratio = 2.12 [1.12-4.19]) compared with those with high LE8 scores. Over a median 6-year follow-up, there were 222 all-cause deaths, and 55 cardiovascular deaths occurred. Participants with AAC had an increased risk of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.17 [1.60-2.95]) and cardiovascular (HR = 2.35 [1.40-3.93]) mortality. Moreover, individuals with AAC and low or medium LE8 scores exhibited a 137% (HR = 2.37 [1.58-3.54]) and 119% (HR = 2.19 [1.61-2.99]) higher risk of all-cause mortality, as well as a 224% (HR = 3.24 [1.73-6.04]) and 125% (HR = 2.25 [1.24-4.09]) increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The LE8 score correlates with AAC prevalence in middle-aged and older individuals and serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with AAC.

Association of body roundness index with abdominal aortic calcification among middle aged and elderly population: findings from NHANES

Aim

We aim to investigate the association between body roundness index (BRI) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) among middle aged and elderly US residents.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 cycle, including 3,079 middle-aged and elderly participants aged 40 and above. AAC scores for these participants were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). BRI was calculated from participants' height and waist circumference, with all measurements conducted by trained surveyors using standardized methods. The relationship between BRI and AAC was analyzed using weighted multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for confounding variable. Additionally, restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis was also employed.

Results

We found that those with AAC were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of smoking and chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence compared to those without AAC. Using weighted multivariable logistic regression, we determined that an increase of one unit in BRI was associated with a 22% higher risk of AAC. Additionally, higher BRI quartiles (Q2, Q3, Q4) showed significantly increased risks of AAC compared to the lowest quartile. Visualization using RCS indicated a gradual increase in AAC risk with higher BRI, which plateaued beyond a BRI of 7.2. This relationship was significant across different age and gender group.

Conclusion

There is a positive association between abdominal obesity (as measured by BRI) and AAC in the middle-aged and elderly population. This suggests the impact of abdominal obesity on vascular health and that this factor should be considered in public health strategies.

Associations between the composite dietary antioxidant index and abdominal aortic calcification among United States adults: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress has previously been shown to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between the composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC).

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of United States adults using data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The CDAI was calculated from vitamins A, C, E, selenium, zinc, and caretenoid through two rounds of 24-h dietary recall interviews. AAC was assessed by a lateral dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan of the thoraco-lumbar spine. The association between CDAI and AAC was evaluated with weighted multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, an unweighted 1081 participants were analyzed, including 110 with AAC and 971 without AAC. In the multivariable fully adjusted logistic regression model, CDAI was significantly associated with AAC (odds ratio = 0.89, 95% CI 0.81-0.98; P = 0.02). Compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of CDAI was related to a 0.33-fold risk of AAC (95% CI 0.12-0.90; P = 0.03). Subgroup analysis showed that the significant association between CDAI and AAC was only observed in participants without hypertension (P for interaction = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

A higher CDAI was associated with a lower prevalence of AAC among adults without hypertension in the US. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to analyze the protective role of the CDAI in AAC progression.

Associations between Life's Essential 8 and abdominal aortic calcification among US Adults: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular health (CVH) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) are closely linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related mortality. However, the relationship between CVH metrics via Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and AAC remains unexplored.

METHODS

The study analyzed data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cohort, which included adults aged 40 or above. The research used the LE8 algorithm to evaluate CVH. Semi-quantitative AAC-24 scoring techniques were employed to assess AAC, categorized into no calcification, mild to moderate calcification, and severe calcification.

RESULTS

The primary analysis involved 2,478 participants. Following adjustments for multiple factors, the LE8 score exhibited a significant association with ACC risk (Mild-moderate ACC: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81,0.93; Severe ACC: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.69,0.87, all P < 0.001), indicating an almost linear dose-response relationship. Compared to the low CVH group, the moderate CVH group showed lower odds ratios (OR) for mild-moderate and severe calcification (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61-0.99, P = 0.041; OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46-0.99, P = 0.047, respectively). Moreover, the high CVH group demonstrated even lower ORs for mild-moderate and severe calcification (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.69, P < 0.001; OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.59, P = 0.001, respectively). Interactions were found between chronic kidney disease (CKD) condition, history of CVD, marital status and CVH metrics to ACC. Participants without CKD exhibited a more pronounced negative association between the CVH metric and both mild-moderate and severe ACC. Those lacking a history of CVD, and never married/widowed/divorced/separated showed a stronger negative association between the CVH metric and severe ACC.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel CVH metrics demonstrated an inverse correlation with the risk of AAC. These findings suggest that embracing improved CVH levels may assist in alleviating the burden of ACC.