Age-modification of lipoprotein, lipid, and lipoprotein ratio-associated risk for coronary artery calcium (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis [MESA]).

Although abnormal lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios are powerful risk factors for clinical cardiovascular events, these associations are stronger in younger than in older subjects. Whether age modifies the relation of lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios to the relative risk of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), as assessed by coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores, has not been examined in a contemporary, multiethnic cohort. We performed multivariate relative risk regression analyses to determine the relative risks for associations of lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios with prevalent CAC in participants in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The participants were community-dwelling adults aged 45 to 84 years without clinically apparent CVD at baseline. We excluded those taking lipid-lowering therapy (15%) and stratified the results by decades of age. A total of 5,092 participants met the inclusion criteria. In the fully adjusted models, per SD of low-density lipoprotein, the age-stratified, adjusted relative risk for CAC was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 to 1.28) for those aged 45 to 84 years but was 1.05 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.10) for those aged 75 to 84 years (p-interaction = 0.12). The relative risk per SD of total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was 1.20 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.29) for those aged 45 to 54 years but only 1.04 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.09) for those aged 75 to 84 years (p-interaction <0.001). The lipoproteins levels and lipoprotein ratios were associated with increased relative risks for CAC across all age categories. However, these associations were markedly attenuated by age. In conclusion, abnormal lipoprotein levels in middle age are a powerful risk factor for early atherosclerosis, as manifested by prevalent CAC.

Paramsothy P ，Katz R ，Owens DS ，Burke GL ，Probstfield JL ，O'Brien KD ... -  《-》

Age modification of the association of lipoprotein, lipid, and lipoprotein ratio with carotid intima-media thickness (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis [MESA]).

Multiple studies have demonstrated an age-related attenuation in risk associations of lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios with cardiovascular disease events. We recently reported a similar age-related attenuation in risk associations of lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios with coronary artery calcium. We assessed risk associations of lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), which has not been reported previously. We performed multivariable linear regression using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). MESA participants were community-dwelling adults 45 to 84 years of age without clinically apparent cardiovascular disease at baseline, and 4,961 met inclusion criteria for these analyses. In fully adjusted models, differences in CIMT were similar across the MESA age spectrum, with differences in internal CIMT per SD increase in low-density lipoprotein of 0.037 mm (95% confidence interval 0.018 to 0.055) for those 45 to 54 years old and 0.087 mm (95% confidence interval 0.027 to 0.146) for those 75 to 84 years old (p for interaction = 0.2). Similarly, the difference in internal CIMT per SD increase in the total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was 0.029 mm (95% confidence interval 0.009 to 0.049) for those 45 to 54 years old and 0.101 mm (95% confidence interval 0.033, 0.169) for those 75 to 84 years old (p for interaction = 0.03). In general, risk associations of lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios were associated with similar differences in CIMT across all age categories. In conclusion, abnormal lipoproteins and lipoprotein ratios in middle-aged and older patients are powerful risk factors for early atherosclerosis as manifested by an increased CIMT.

Paramsothy P ，Katz R ，Owens DS ，Burke GL ，Probstfield JL ，O'Brien KD ... -  《-》

The prevalence and correlates of subclinical atherosclerosis among adults with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <70 mg/dL: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

The prevalence and correlates of subclinical atherosclerosis when low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are low remain unclear. Therefore, we examined the association of cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis among individuals with untreated LDL-C <70 mg/dL. We included participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) cohorts. To optimize accuracy, LDL-C was calculated by the validated Martin/Hopkins equation that uses an adjustable factor for the ratio of triglycerides to very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We defined subclinical atherosclerosis as a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score >0 in the combined cohort or common carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) in the 4th quartile, using cohort-specific cIMT distributions at baseline. Logistic regression models examined the cross-sectional associations of cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis. Among 9411 participants not on lipid lowering therapy, 263 (3%) had LDL-C <70 mg/dL (MESA: 206, ELSA: 57). Mean age in this population was 58 (SD 12) years, with 43% men, and 41% Black. The prevalence of CAC >0 in those with untreated LDL-C<70 mg/dL was 30%, and 18% were in 4th quartile of cIMT. In demographically adjusted models, only ever smoking was significantly associated with both CAC and cIMT. Similar results were obtained in risk factor-adjusted models (smoking: OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.10-4.80 and OR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.41-8.37 for CAC and cIMT, respectively). Among middle-aged to older individuals with untreated LDL-C <70 mg/dL, subclinical atherosclerosis remains moderately common and is associated with cigarette smoking.

Al Rifai M ，Martin SS ，McEvoy JW ，Nasir K ，Blankstein R ，Yeboah J ，Miedema M ，Shea SJ ，Polak JF ，Ouyang P ，Blumenthal RS ，Bittencourt M ，Bensenor I ，Santos RD ，Duncan BB ，Santos IS ，Lotufo PA ，Blaha MJ ... -  《-》

Association of combinations of lipid parameters with carotid intima-media thickness and coronary artery calcium in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of combinations of lipid parameters with subclinical atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) are significantly associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). The association between common dyslipidemias (combined hyperlipidemia, [simple] hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome, isolated low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and isolated hypertriglyceridemia) compared with normolipemia, and CIMT and CAC has not been previously examined. The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) participants were White, Chinese, African-American, or Hispanic adults without clinical CVD. Subjects with diabetes mellitus or who were receiving lipid-lowering therapy were excluded. Every participant was classified into only 1 of 6 groups defined by specific low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglyceride cut points. Multivariate linear and relative risk regressions evaluated the cross-sectional associations with CIMT and CAC after adjusting for CVD risk factors. Interactions with race, sex, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were evaluated for CIMT and CAC outcomes. Among 4,792 participants, only those with combined hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia demonstrated both increased common CIMT (combined hyperlipidemia 0.048 mm thicker, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.016 to 0.080 mm; hypercholesterolemia 0.048 mm thicker, 95% CI: 0.029 to 0.067 mm) and internal CIMT (combined hyperlipidemia 0.120 mm thicker, 95% CI: 0.032 to 0.208 mm; and hypercholesterolemia 0.161 mm thicker, 95% CI: 0.098 to 0.223 mm) as well as increased risk for prevalent CAC (combined hyperlipidemia relative risk: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.38; hypercholesterolemia relative risk: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.34) compared with normolipemia. The interactions between lipid parameters and race, sex, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were not significant for any outcomes. Combined hyperlipidemia and simple hypercholesterolemia were associated with increased CIMT and prevalent CAC in a relatively healthy multiethnic population.

Paramsothy P ，Knopp RH ，Bertoni AG ，Blumenthal RS ，Wasserman BA ，Tsai MY ，Rue T ，Wong ND ，Heckbert SR ... -  《-》

Apolipoprotein B discordance with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in relation to coronary artery calcification in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Discordant levels of apolipoprotein B (apo B) relative to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) may be associated with subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The present study investigated whether discordance between apo B and LDL-C or non-HDL-C levels was associated with subclinical ASCVD measured by coronary artery calcium (CAC). This study was conducted in a subpopulation of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort, aged 45 to 84 years, free of ASCVD, and not taking lipid-lowering medications at the baseline (2000-2002) (prevalence analytic N = 4623; incidence analytic N = 2216; progression analytic N = 3947). Apo B discordance relative to LDL-C and non-HDL-C was defined using residuals and percentile rankings (>5/10/15 percentile). Associations with prevalent and incident CAC (CAC > 0 vs CAC = 0) were assessed using prevalence ratio/relative risk regression and CAC progression (absolute increase/year) using multinomial logistic regression. Higher apo B levels were associated with CAC prevalence, incidence, and progression. Apo B discordance relative to LDL-C or non-HDL-C was inconsistently associated with CAC prevalence and progression. Discordantly high apo B relative to LDL-C and non-HDL-C was associated with CAC progression. Associations for apo B discordance with non-HDL-C remained after further adjustment for metabolic syndrome components. Apo B was associated with CAC among adults aged ≥45 years not taking statins, but provided only modest additional predictive value of apo B for CAC prevalence, incidence, or progression beyond LDL-C or non-HDL-C. Apo B discordance may still be important for ASCVD risk assessment and further research is needed to confirm findings.

Cao J ，Nomura SO ，Steffen BT ，Guan W ，Remaley AT ，Karger AB ，Ouyang P ，Michos ED ，Tsai MY ... -  《-》