Effect of Metabolically Healthy Obesity on the Development of Carotid Plaque in the General Population: A Community-Based Cohort Study

Association between metabolic phenotypes of overweight/obesity and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Obesity and metabolic abnormalities were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is unclear how metabolic weight phenotypes relate to cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to explore the relationships in postmenopausal women.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 15,575 postmenopausal women aged 35-75 years (median age, 60.6) without cardiovascular disease at baseline from a subcohort of the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Million Persons Project. Metabolically unhealthy phenotype was defined as having ≥2 risk factors of metabolic syndrome: blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg or current use of antihypertensive drugs, fasting glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L or current use of antidiabetic agents, triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <1.3 mmol/L. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Over a median follow-up period of 3.55 (interquartile range, 2.59-4.44) years, a total of 1354 cardiovascular events occurred. Compared to metabolically healthy normal weight, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were 1.41 (1.16-1.72) for metabolically unhealthy normal weight, 1.42 (1.16-1.73) for metabolically healthy overweight/obesity, and 1.75 (1.48-2.08) for metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity. Subdividing overweight/obesity into separate groups revealed higher total cardiovascular disease risk only in metabolically unhealthy individuals across body mass index categories.

CONCLUSION

In postmenopausal women, both metabolically healthy overweight/obesity and metabolically unhealthy normal weight were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to metabolically healthy normal weight, and the greatest risk was observed in the metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity category.

Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

The risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) is high in cancer survivors. Although metabolic syndrome is an established risk factor for CVD, its association with cancer survivors has not yet been established. This study aimed to clarify whether metabolic syndrome is associated with subsequent CVD risk in patients with cancer using a nationwide epidemiological dataset.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 53 510 patients with a history of breast, colorectal, or stomach cancer, which is reportedly a major site for developing cancer in Japan. Study participants were categorized into two groups based on the presence of metabolic syndrome, defined using the Japanese criteria (high waist circumference and ≥2 metabolic parameters including elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or elevated fasting plasma glucose). The clinical outcomes were collected between 2005 and 2021. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite CVD outcome, including myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, and heart failure.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 54 years, and 37.5% of the patients were men. Metabolic syndrome was observed in 5558 (10.4%) patients. Over a mean follow-up period of 973 ± 791 days, 3085 composite CVD outcomes were recorded. Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that metabolic syndrome was associated with a greater risk of developing CVD events (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.15-1.45). Metabolic syndrome was also associated with an increased risk of CVD in patients with a follow-up period ≥1 year (HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.15-1.53). This relationship was also observed when metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria (HR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.21-1.49) and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.19-1.46). Subgroup analyses showed that the relationship between metabolic syndrome and incident CVD was more pronounced in the non-obese participants than in the obese participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic syndrome is associated with a greater risk of developing CVD, even among cancer survivors.

Sex Differences in the Association Between Depression and Incident Cardiovascular Disease

Background

Depression is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the potential sex differences in this association remain unclear.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between depression and subsequent CVD events, and to explore potential sex differences.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective analysis using the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2022. The study population included 4,125,720 individuals aged 18 to 75 years without a history of cardiovascular disease or renal failure and missing data at baseline. Participants were followed up for a mean of 1,288 days to assess the association between depression and subsequent CVD events, such as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

Results

Our analysis revealed a significant association between depression and subsequent composite CVD events in both men and women, with a stronger association observed in women. The HR for the composite endpoint was 1.64 (95% CI: 1.59-1.70) in women and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.35-1.42) in men after multivariable adjustment (P for interaction <0.001). Furthermore, the individual components of the composite endpoint were also associated with depression in both men and women, each of which was also observed to be more strongly associated in women.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence of a significant association between depression and subsequent CVD events in both men and women, with a more pronounced association observed in women. These findings highlight the importance of addressing depression and tailoring prevention and management strategies according to sex-specific factors.

Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Schizophrenia and the Development of Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

There are few data on sex differences in the association between schizophrenia and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to clarify the relationship of schizophrenia with the risk of developing CVDs and to explore the potential modification effect of sex differences.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective analysis using the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2022. The study population included 4 124 508 individuals aged 18 to 75 years without a history of CVD or renal replacement therapy. The primary end point is defined as a composite end point that includes myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and pulmonary thromboembolism. During a mean follow-up of 1288±1001 days, we observed 182 158 composite end points. We found a significant relationship of schizophrenia with a greater risk of developing composite CVD events in both men and women, with a stronger association observed in women. The hazard ratio for the composite end point was 1.63 (95% CI, 1.52-1.74) in women and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.33-1.52) in men after multivariable adjustment (P for interaction=0.0049). This sex-specific difference in the association between schizophrenia and incident CVD was consistent for angina pectoris, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis using a large-scale epidemiologic cohort demonstrated that the association between schizophrenia and subsequent CVD events was more pronounced in women than in men, suggesting the clinical importance of addressing schizophrenia and tailoring the CVD prevention strategy based on sex-specific factors.

Association of metabolically unhealthy non-obese and metabolically healthy obese individuals with arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular disease risk: a cross-sectional study in Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

The relationship between metabolically healthy obese individuals (MHO) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is disputed. This study investigated the association of metabolically unhealthy non-obese(MUNO) individuals and MHO with arterial stiffness and 10-year CVD risk.

METHODS

A total of 13,435 participants were enrolled and further divided into the metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO) phenotype (n = 4927), MUNO phenotype (n = 1971), MHO phenotype (n = 2537) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) phenotype (n = 4000) according to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic status. We used brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) to measure arterial stiffness and the Framingham risk score (FRS) to evaluate the 10-year CVD risk.

RESULTS

The MUO and MUNO phenotypes had higher mean baPWV values than the MHO and MHNO phenotypes, regardless of age (1446.19 ± 233.65 vs. 1423.29 ± 240.72 vs. 1283.57 ± 213.77 vs. 1234.08 ± 215.99 cm/s, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the MUNO and MUO phenotypes were independently correlated with elevated baPWV and 10-year CVD risk, while the MHO phenotype was independently associated with only the 10-year CVD risk. In metabolically healthy subjects, BMI showed a dose-dependent increase in the risk of elevated baPWV, with an adjusted OR of 1.007 (95% CI 1.004-1.010, P < 0.001). However, in metabolically unhealthy participants, the estimate for the relationship between elevated baPWV and BMI was nonsignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

The MUNO phenotype exhibits increased arterial stiffness and 10-year CVD risk. However, BMI is positively and dose-dependently correlated with arterial stiffness only in metabolically healthy subjects. We speculate that metabolic status may be a strong confounder in the obesity-elevated baPWV association.

Age-Dependent Association Between Modifiable Risk Factors and Incident Cardiovascular Disease

Background There have been limited data examining the age-dependent relationship of wide-range risk factors with the incidence of each subtype of cardiovascular disease (CVD) event. We assessed age-related associations between modifiable risk factors and the incidence of CVD. Methods and Results We analyzed 3 027 839 participants without a CVD history enrolled in the JMDC Claims Database (mean age, 44.8±11.0 years; 57.6% men). Each participant was categorized as aged 20 to 49 years (n=2 008 559), 50 to 59 years (n=712 273), and 60 to 75 years (n=307 007). Using Cox proportional hazards models and the relative risk reduction, we identified associations between risk factors and incident CVD, consisting of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, and heart failure (HF). We assessed whether the association of risk factors for developing CVD would be modified by age category. Over a mean follow-up of 1133 days, 6315 myocardial infarction, 56 447 angina pectoris, 28 079 stroke, and 56 369 HF events were recorded. The incidence of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, and HF increased with age category. Hazard ratios of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the multivariable Cox regression analyses for myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, and HF decreased with age category. The relative risk reduction of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes for CVD events decreased with age category. For example, the relative risk reduction of hypertension for HF decreased from 59.2% in participants aged 20 to 49 years to 38.1% in those aged 60 to 75 years. Conclusions The contribution of modifiable risk factor to the development of CVD is greater in younger compared with older individuals. Preventive efforts for risk factor modification may be more effective in younger people.

Metabolically Healthy Obesity and Carotid Plaque among Steelworkers in North China: The Role of Inflammation

This study aimed to investigate the association between metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and carotid plaque. In this cross-sectional survey, 3467 steelworkers in North China were surveyed. There are two criteria for defining a carotid plaque: (1) the lesion structure exceeds 50% of the peripheral intima-media thickness value or invades the arterial lumen by at least 0.5 mm; (2) a thickness > 1.5 mm from the intima−lumen interface to the media−adventitia interface. Metabolic health was defined as the nonexistence of one of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnostic criteria for metabolic abnormalities. Obesity was defined as having a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. To calculate the odds ratio (OR) for the prevalence carotid plaque, a logistic regression was used for the analysis. The prevalence of carotid plaque in the subjects was 14.3% for metabolically healthy non-obesity (MHNO), 32.4% for MHO, 18.9% for metabolically unhealthy non-obesity (MUNO), and 46.8% for metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). The odds ratios for suffering from carotid plaque were 1.27 (95% CI: 0.69 to 2.32) for MHO, 1.83 (95% CI: 1.29 to 2.58) for MUNO, and 1.81 (1.28 to 2.56) for MUO in comparison with MHNO after adjusting for confounders. There was no association between the MHO phenotype and carotid plaque prevalence among steelworkers in North China.

Obesity is associated with coronary artery stenosis independently of metabolic risk factors: The population-based SCAPIS study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous studies reported divergent results on whether metabolically healthy obesity is associated with increased coronary artery calcium and carotid plaques. We investigated this in a cross-sectional fashion in a large, well-defined, middle-aged population using coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and carotid ultrasound.

METHODS

In the SCAPIS study (50-65 years, 51% female), CCTA and carotid artery ultrasound were performed in 23,674 individuals without clinical atherosclerotic disease. These subjects were divided into six groups according to BMI (normal weight, overweight, obese) and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the NCEP consensus criteria.

RESULTS

The severity of coronary artery stenosis was increased in individuals with obesity without MetS compared to normal-weight individuals without MetS (OR 1.47, 95%CI 1.34-1.62; p < 0.0001), even after adjusting for non-HDL-cholesterol and several lifestyle factors. Such difference was not observed for the presence of carotid artery plaques (OR 0.94, 95%CI 0.87-1.02; p = 0.11). Obese or overweight individuals without any MetS criteria (except the waist criterion) showed significantly more pronounced stenosis in the coronary arteries as compared to the normal-weight individuals, while one criterion was needed to show increased plaque prevalence in the carotid arteries. High blood pressure was the most important single criterion for increased atherosclerosis in this respect.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with obesity without MetS showed increased severity of coronary artery stenosis, but no increased occurrence of carotid artery plaques compared to normal-weight individuals without MetS, further emphasizing that obesity is not a benign condition even in the absence of MetS.

Relationship of normal-weight central obesity with the risk for heart failure and atrial fibrillation: analysis of a nationwide health check-up and claims database

Aims

There have been scarce data on the relationship of normal-weight central obesity (NWCO) with the subsequent risk for heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Using a nationwide health check-up and administrative claims database, we sought to clarify whether NWCO would be associated with the incidence of HF and AF.

Methods and results

Medical records of 1 697 903 participants without prior history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and normal-weight (body mass index of 18.5-23.0 kg/m2) were extracted from the JMDC Claims Database, which is a health check-up and claims database. We defined NWCO as normal-weight and CO (waist circumference ≥ 90 cm for men or ≥ 80 cm for women). The median age was 44.0 (37.0-52.0) years and 872 578 (51.4%) participants were men. Overall, 154 778 individuals (9.1%) had CO. The mean follow-up period was 3.3 ± 2.6 years. Participants with NWCO were older and more likely to be women than those without. HF and AF occurred in 26 936 (1.6%) and 6554 (0.4%) participants, respectively. People having NWCO were associated with a greater risk for HF [hazard ratio (HR): 1.072, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.026-1.119] and AF (HR: 1.202, 95% CI: 1.083-1.333) compared with those having normal-weight without CO.

Conclusion

Our analysis of a nationwide health check-up and administrative claims database including ∼1.7 million participants without prevalent CVD history demonstrated the potential impact of NWCO on the risk for HF and AF, suggesting the importance of abdominal obesity in the developing HF and AF even in normal-weight individuals.

Risk for Proteinuria in Newly Defined Hypertensive People Based on the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure Guideline

Whether blood pressure (BP) classification using the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) BP guideline can identify patients at high risk for proteinuria remains unknown. We examined the association of BP classification using the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline with the subsequent risk for the development of proteinuria. This is an observational cohort study using the JMDC Claims Database. We analyzed 914,786 participants with negative proteinuria assessed using urine dipstick tests at the initial health check-ups, not taking BP-lowering medications, and who underwent repeated urine dipstick tests within 4 years. Based on the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, each participant was categorized as having normal BP (n = 487,020), elevated BP (n = 134,798), stage 1 hypertension (n = 197,618), or stage 2 hypertension (n = 95,350). The primary outcome was incident proteinuria. We investigated the association of BP based on the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline category with incident proteinuria using multivariable analyses. We used restricted cubic spline functions to identify the relation between systolic BP (SBP) and the risk for proteinuria. The median age was 45 years, and 59.4% were men. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that stage 1 hypertension (relative risk 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.11 to 1.17), and stage 2 hypertension (relative risk 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 1.52) were associated with a higher incidence of proteinuria than normal BP. The restricted cubic spline demonstrated that the risk for proteinuria increased linearly with SBP after SBP exceeded 120 mm Hg. Not only stage 2 hypertension but also stage 1 hypertension was associated with a greater risk for proteinuria, suggesting the importance of establishing the management strategy for stage 1 hypertension.

Incorporation of Retinal Arteriolosclerosis into Risk Stratification of Blood Pressure Category According to the 2017 ACC/AHA Blood Pressure Guideline

Aim: We investigated whether retinal arteriolosclerosis (RA) could be used for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification of individuals categorized according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Blood Pressure (BP) guideline.

Methods: We studied 291,522 participants without a history of CVD and not taking any BP-lowering medications from the JMDC Claims Database. RA was defined as Keith–Wagener–Barker system grade ≥ 1. Each participant was classified into one of the six groups: (1) normal or elevated BP without RA, (2) normal or elevated BP with RA, (3) stage 1 hypertension without RA, (4) stage 1 hypertension with RA, (5) stage 2 hypertension without RA, and (6) stage 2 hypertension with RA.

Results: Median (interquartile range) age was 46 (40–53) years, and 141,397 (48.5%) of the participants were men. During a mean follow-up of 1,223±830 days, 527 myocardial infarction (MI), 5,718 angina pectoris, 2,890 stroke, and 5,375 heart failure (HF) events occurred. Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed that the risk of CVD increased with BP category, and this association was pronounced by the presence of RA. Compared with normal or elevated BP without RA, the hazard ratios (HRs) for MI (HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.93–1.47) were higher in stage 1 hypertension without RA. The HRs for MI further increased in stage 1 hypertension with RA (1.86 [1.17–2.95]). This association was present in stroke and HF.

Conclusion: Incorporation of the assessment for RA may facilitate the CVD risk stratification of people classified based on the 2017 ACC/AHA BP guideline, particularly for those categorized in stage 1 hypertension.

Relation of the Metabolic Syndrome to Incident Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults Aged 20 to 49 Years

Onco-cardiology is the emerging field, and the concept of shared risk factor holds an important position in this field. The increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in young adults is a critical epidemiological issue. Although metabolic syndrome, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is known to be associated with CRC incidence in middle-aged and elderly individuals, it is unclear whether this association is present in young adults. We assessed whether metabolic syndrome was associated with CRC events in young adults (aged <50 years), and whether the association differed by the definition of metabolic syndrome. We retrospectively analyzed 902,599 adults (20 to 49 years of age) enrolled in the JMDC Claims Database which is a nationwide epidemiological database in Japan between January 2005 and August 2018. Participants who had a history of CRC, colorectal polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded. Study participants were categorized into 2 groups according to the presence of metabolic syndrome, defined using the Japanese criteria (waist circumference ≥85 cm for men and ≥90 cm for women, and ≥2 metabolic parameters including elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or elevated fasting plasma glucose). Clinical outcomes were collected between January 2005 and August 2018. The primary outcome was CRC of any stage. Median (interquartile range) age was 41 (37 to 45), and 55.4% were men. Over a median follow-up of 1,008 (429 to 1,833) days, there were 1,884 incidences of CRC. After multivariable adjustment, the hazard ratio (HR) of metabolic syndrome for CRC events was 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07 to 1.49). Cox regression analysis after multiple imputation for missing values showed that metabolic syndrome was associated with CRC incidence (HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.17 to 1.56). Metabolic syndrome was also associated with a higher incidence of CRC in individuals with a follow-up period of ≥365 days (HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.60). This association was observed when metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.55) and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.12 to 1.72). In conclusion, metabolic syndrome was associated with a higher incidence of CRC among individuals aged <50 years. These results could be informative for risk stratification of subsequent CRC among young adults.

Association Between Blood Pressure Classification Using the 2017 ACC/AHA Blood Pressure Guideline and Retinal Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to explore the association between the blood pressure (BP) classification defined by the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guideline and the prevalence of retinal atherosclerosis.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective observational cross-sectional analysis using the JMDC Claims Database. We analyzed 280,599 subjects not taking any antihypertensive medications. According to the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline, each subject was categorized as having normal BP (n = 159,524), elevated BP (n = 35,603), stage 1 hypertension (n = 54,795), or stage 2 hypertension (n = 30,677) using the BP value at the initial health checkup. Retinal photographs were assessed according to the Keith-Wagener-Barker system.

RESULTS

The median age was 46 years, and 50.4% subjects were men. Retinal atherosclerosis, defined as Keith-Wagener-Barker system grade ≥1, was observed in 3.2% in normal BP, 5.2% in elevated BP, 7.7% in stage 1 hypertension, and 18.7% in stage 2 hypertension. Compared with normal BP, elevated BP (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.38), stage 1 hypertension (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.64-1.79), and stage 2 hypertension (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 3.93-4.28) were associated with a higher prevalence of retinal atherosclerosis. Among 92,121 subjects without obesity, high waist circumference, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, elevated BP (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.19-1.51), stage 1 hypertension (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.61-1.98), and stage 2 hypertension (OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 4.00-4.92) were associated with a higher prevalence of retinal atherosclerosis. This association was observed in all subgroups stratified by age or sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Our investigation suggests that retinal atherosclerosis could start even in individuals with elevated BP and stage 1 hypertension.

Transition from metabolically healthy to unhealth status associated with risk of carotid artery plaque in Chinese adults

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the association between the shift of metabolic status and future risk of carotid artery plaque (CAP) in community-based Chinese adults.

Methods

The current study included 9836 Chinese adults (4085 males and 5751 females, mean age 35.8 years) with metabolically healthy status at baseline (2013). Metabolically healthy status was defined as no self-reported history of metabolic diseases and cancer, and normal blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c level, and lipid profiles. Metabolically unhealthy status was defined if any of the following metabolic abnormalities were confirmed twice during follow up: high blood pressure, impaired glucose regulation, high triglycerides, high total cholesterol, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterols, or low high-density lipoprotein cholesterols. The transition was confirmed if participants’ metabolic status shifted from baseline healthy to unhealthy status during follow up (2014–2018).

Results

We have identified 133 incident cases of CAP during follow up. Compared to those who remained metabolically healthy, the transition to high blood pressure, high total cholesterol, and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterols, were associated with high risk of developing carotid artery plaque (Hazards ratios (HRs) ranged from 1.69 to 2.34; p < 0.05 for all). The transition to impaired glucose regulation, high total triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterols, were associated with high risk of carotid artery plaque only in participants with metabolically healthy overweight at baseline (HR ranged from 1.95 to 4.62; p < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

The transition from baseline metabolically healthy status to unhealth status was associated with high risk of incident CAP.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-021-02279-w.

Promoting analysis of real-world data: Prospects for preventive cardiology in Japan

According to the statistics for 2018 in Japan, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease were the most common causes of death (cardiovascular disease with 208,210, cerebrovascular disease with 108,165), and these two diseases account for 23.2% of all deaths. Stroke, especially cerebral hemorrhage, was the main cause of death in Japan after World War II. Along with improved management of hypertension, the mortality rate from cerebral hemorrhage reached a high of 266.7 per 100,000 men in 1960 and 213.9 per 100,000 women in 1951, then decreased to 15.9 per 100,000 men and 6.9 per 100,000 women in 2013. However, mortality from lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome and ischemic heart disease has been on the rise since 1990 due to the westernization of diet, urban lifestyles, and lack of exercise habits. Moreover, since aging is the greatest risk factor for heart failure, the number of patients with heart failure in Japan will inevitably increase in the future. A large amount of evidence has demonstrated that prevention and proper management of risk factors can reduce the future incidence of cardiovascular disease. Specific health checkups (metabolic syndrome checkups) have been carried out in Japan since 2008. Big data on physical examinations are valuable real-world data that can be utilized for clinical research. As the importance of preventive cardiology increases in the future, we should analyze the real-world data from health checkups in Japan in detail and disseminate these results to clinical practice, which will contribute to development of preventive cardiology and the promotion of public health.

Relation of Serum Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Events in Young Adults Aged 20-49 Years

Serum uric acid (SUA) was reported to be associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between SUA and CVD among young adults has not been clarified yet. In this study, we aimed to identify the association of medication naïve SUA with incident CVD including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) using a nationwide epidemiological database. We analyzed 353,613 participants aged 20-49 years, who were not taking UA lowering medications, and had no prevalent history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) using a nationwide health claims database collected in the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2018. Median [interquartile range] age was 40 [34-44] years, and 46.9% were men. Over a mean follow-up of 1,176±876 days, 391 (0.1%) incident MI, 1,308 (0.4%) incident stroke, 3,374 (1.0%) incident HF, and 684 (0.2%) incident AF events occurred. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test showed that there was a significant difference in incident MI, stroke, HF, and AF among the groups based on SUA tertile (all log-rank p< 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the upper tertile of SUA (SUA ≥ 5.7 mg/dL) was associated with higher incidence of MI (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.00-2.10), HF (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.28), and AF (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.78) compared with the first tertile of SUA (SUA < 4.4 mg/dL). SUA as continuous variable was independently associated with incident MI (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.00-1.20), stroke (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.11), HF (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.10), and AF (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.19). SUA ≥ 7.0 mg/dL was independently associated with incident HF (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.38). In conclusion, higher SUA was associated with increased incidence of CVD events in individuals aged< 50 years, suggesting the potential significance of the optimal UA control for the primary CVD prevention even in young adults.

Metabolically Healthy Obesity and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in the General Population - Analysis of a Nationwide Epidemiological Database

BACKGROUND

Obesity and metabolic disorders frequently coexist, and both are established risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although the phenotype of obesity without metabolic disorders, referred to as metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), is attracting clinical interest, the pathophysiological impact of MHO remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Japan Medical Data Center database, we studied 802,288 subjects aged ≥20 years without any metabolic disorders or a prior history of CVD. MHO, defined as obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) with no metabolic disorders, was observed in 9.8% of the study population. The subjects' mean (±SD) age was 42.8±9.4 years and 44.7% were men. The mean follow-up period was 1,126±849 days. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that MHO alone did not significantly increase the risk of any CVD. However, abdominal obesity alone increased the risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Moreover, the coexistence of MHO and abdominal obesity increased the risk of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The incidence of stroke was not associated with the presence of MHO and abdominal obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with no metabolic disorders, MHO alone did not significantly increase the subsequent CVD risk. However, individuals with comorbid MHO and abdominal obesity had a higher risk of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, suggesting the prognostic importance of abdominal obesity in subjects with MHO.

Association of Blood Pressure Classification Using the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure Guideline With Risk of Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are growing in prevalence worldwide. Few studies have assessed to what extent stage 1 hypertension in the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association blood pressure (BP) guidelines is associated with incident HF and AF.

METHODS

Analyses were conducted with a nationwide health claims database collected in the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2018 (n=2 196 437; mean age, 44.0±10.9 years; 58.4% men). No participants were taking antihypertensive medication or had a known history of cardiovascular disease. Each participant was categorized as having normal BP (systolic BP <120 mm Hg and diastolic BP <80 mm Hg; n=1 155 885), elevated BP (systolic BP 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic BP <80 mm Hg; n=337 390), stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg; n=459 820), or stage 2 hypertension (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg; n=243 342). Using Cox proportional hazards models, we identified associations between BP groups and HF/AF events. We also calculated the population attributable fractions to estimate the proportion of HF and AF events that would be preventable if participants with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension were to have normal BP.

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up of 1112±854 days, 28 056 incident HF and 7774 incident AF events occurred. After multivariable adjustment, hazard ratios for HF and AF events were 1.10 (95% CI, 1.05-1.15) and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.99-1.17), respectively, for elevated BP; 1.30 (95% CI, 1.26-1.35) and 1.21 (95% CI, 1.13-1.29), respectively, for stage 1 hypertension; and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.97-2.13) and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.41-1.64), respectively, for stage 2 hypertension versus normal BP. Population attributable fractions for HF associated with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension were 23.2% (95% CI, 20.3%-26.0%) and 51.2% (95% CI, 49.2%-53.1%), respectively. The population attributable fractions for AF associated with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension were 17.4% (95% CI, 11.5%-22.9%) and 34.3% (95% CI, 29.1%-39.2%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension were associated with a greater incidence of HF and AF in the general population. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association BP classification system may help identify adults at higher risk for HF and AF events.

A favorable metabolic profile in metabolically healthy obesity is associated with physical activity level rather than abdominal fat volume in Japanese males

[Purpose] To determine the potential factors for difference in metabolic profiles between metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity, we investigated the difference in abdominal fat volume, metabolic characteristics, and physical activity levels between metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity identified with cardiovascular disease risk factors in Japanese males. [Participants and Methods] Of 305 volunteers recruited, 130 obese males (age: 46.9 ± 8.9 years; body mass index: 29.6 ± 3.5 kg/m²) met the criteria for the study. They were divided into two groups; metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity according to cardiovascular disease risk factors including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Abdominal fat volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiovascular disease risk factors and metabolic characteristics were evaluated by blood pressure and blood parameters. Physical activity levels were measured using an accelerometer. [Results] Despite the fact that metabolically healthy obesity had a more favorable metabolic profile than the metabolically unhealthy obesity, no significant differences in visceral and subcutaneous fat volumes were found between the two groups. Moreover, the metabolically healthy obesity had a significantly greater physical activity expenditure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level than the metabolically unhealthy obesity. [Conclusion] A more favorable metabolic profile in metabolically healthy obesity may be associated with physical activity level rather than abdominal fat volumes in Japanese males.

Diabetes and carotid artery disease: a narrative review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been linked to an increased prevalence and severity of carotid artery disease, as well as polyvascular disease. Carotid disease is also associated with obesity and abnormal peri-organ and intra-organ fat (APIFat) deposition (i.e., excess fat accumulation in several organs such as the liver, heart and vessels). In turn, DM is associated with APIFat. The coexistence of these comorbidities confers a greater risk of vascular events. Clinicians should also consider that carotid bruits may predict cardiovascular risk. DM has been related to a greater risk of adverse outcomes after carotid endarterectomy or stenting. Whether modifying risk factors (e.g., glycaemia and dyslipidaemia) in DM patients can improve the outcomes of these procedures needs to be established. Furthermore, DM is a risk factor for contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). The latter should be recorded in DM patients undergoing carotid stenting since it can influence both short- and long-term outcomes. From a pathophysiological perspective, functional changes in the carotid artery may precede morphological ones. Furthermore, carotid plaque characteristics are increasingly being studied in terms of vascular risk stratification and monitoring short-term changes attributed to treatment. The present narrative review discusses the recent (2019) literature on the associations between DM and carotid artery disease. Physicians and vascular surgeons looking after patients with carotid disease and DM should consider these links that may influence outcomes. Further research in this field is also needed to optimise the treatment of such patients.

Association of Isolated Diastolic Hypertension Based on the Cutoff Value in the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure Guidelines With Subsequent Cardiovascular Events in the General Population

Background The 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines lowered the threshold of blood pressure (BP) for hypertension to 130/80 mm Hg. However, the clinical significance of isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) according to the cutoff value of the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines was uncertain. Methods and Results We analyzed the claims database of Japan Medical Data Center (a nationwide epidemiological database). We excluded individuals who were aged <20 years, had systolic hypertension, were taking antihypertensive medication, or had prevalent cardiovascular disease, and studied 1 746 493 individuals (mean age, 42.9±10.7 years; 961 097 men [55.0%]). The average observational period was 1107±855 days. Stage 1 IDH, defined as diastolic BP 80 to 89 mm Hg, and stage 2 IDH, defined as diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, were found in 230 513 (13.2%) and 16 159 (0.9%) individuals, respectively. Compared with individuals with normal diastolic BP, individuals with stage 1 and stage 2 IDH were older and more likely to be men. Prevalence of classic risk factors was higher in patients with IDH. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that stage 1 and stage 2 IDH were associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events, defined as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and stroke. Multivariable analysis showed that stage 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.17) and stage 2 (HR, 1.28) IDH were independently associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events. Subgroup analyses showed that the association of IDH with cardiovascular events was seen irrespective of age and sex. Conclusions The analysis of a nationwide epidemiological database showed that IDH based on the cutoff value in the 2017 ACC/AHA BP guidelines was associated with an elevated risk of subsequent cardiovascular events.

The effects of transitions in metabolic health and obesity status on incident cardiovascular disease: Insights from a general Chinese population

Background

Recent studies have investigated the association of transitions in metabolic health and obesity status over time with the risk of cardiovascular disease, focusing on the subgroup demonstrating metabolically healthy obesity. However, these studies have produced inconsistent results. This study evaluates the relation in a general Chinese population.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study in a general population in Northeast China, with examinations of cardiovascular health from 2012–2015 and follow-up for incident cardiovascular disease until 2018. Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of baseline metabolic health and obesity status and transitions in those statuses with cardiovascular disease risk.

Results

A total of 7472 participants aged ≥35 years who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline were included in this analysis. Over a median follow-up of 4.66 years, a total of 344 cardiovascular disease events occurred. Among the 3380 participants who were obese at baseline, 37.1% were metabolically healthy. Metabolically healthy obesity was associated with a 48% increased risk of cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio: 1.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.07–2.06) compared with the metabolically healthy non-obese group at baseline. Transition from metabolically healthy obesity to metabolically unhealthy obesity was associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk with an odds ratio of 1.82 (95% confidence interval: 1.06–3.14) compared with metabolically healthy non-obesity throughout after adjustment. Even maintaining metabolically healthy obesity over time was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio: 1.72; 95% confidence interval: 1.00–2.97).

Conclusions

Weight control and management of existing metabolic disorders should be prioritized in all obese population.

Effect of cigarette smoking on carotid artery atherosclerosis: a community-based cohort study

Cigarette smoking is closely associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between cigarette smoking and subclinical atherosclerosis has not been fully studied. We sought to clarify the association between cigarette smoking and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in a general Japanese population. Among 1,209 participants who received a medical check-up with cardiovascular examination at our institution, 450 participants (37.2%) were smokers (including both past and current smokers). We evaluated cIMT as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The value of cIMT and rate of carotid plaque defined as IMT ≥ 1.1 mm did not differ between smokers and never smokers. However, the rate of carotid high-risk atheroma, defined as carotid artery atheroma including hypoechoic dominant and ulceration, was significantly higher among smokers than never smokers (30.4%, vs 23.6%, p = 0.009). Even after adjustment for covariates, cigarette smoking was independently associated with high-risk atheroma formation (odds ratio 1.384, 95% CI 1.019-1.880; p = 0.038). The value of cIMT and the rate of high-risk atheroma were significantly higher in smokers than never smokers in the subgroup of participants aged ≥ 60 years, whereas the rate of high-risk atheroma only was higher in smokers than never smokers in the subgroup of participants aged < 60 years. In conclusion, the development of high-risk carotid artery atheroma may precede the thickening of cIMT in cigarette smokers, which suggests the novel insight for the pathological mechanism underlying cardiovascular events and cigarette smoking.