Background: A parameter of arterial stiffness, the pulse pressure (PP) gets adversely affected by serum low-density lipoprotein but to know how do other indicators of cardiovascular health such as cholesterol ratio, adiposity, and serum endothelin are correlated to it, we planned this study.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the correlation of PP to demographic, anthropometric, hemodynamic, and biochemical variables.
Materials and Methods: This was an analytical, observational, and pilot study with 30 overweight/obese subjects as cases and 30 non-obese subjects as controls. Informed consent was duly taken. History and clinical examination helped to exclude cases with secondary cause of abnormal blood flow. Blood pressure measurement along with venous blood sampling for biochemical tests was done.
Results: The two groups varied significantly in age, in hemodynamic parameters (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure and PP), and in anthropometric measurements (waist to hip ratio [WHR], body mass index) (P < 0.001). The lipid profile did not differ significantly in the two groups except the cholesterol ratio (P = 0.001) but it was not significantly correlated to PP. A good proportion of cases had raised PP in comparison to control who mostly had low PP. No significant difference in serum endothelin levels was observed. A significant positive correlation of PP with SBP and WHR in both groups (weakened on controlling the age variable), and with age, only in cases was recorded.
Conclusion: Visceral adiposity, SBP, and ageing are independent predictors of PP but with no endothelial damage. Partial correlation revealed a major role of ageing in causing arterial stiffness.
Key words: Endothelin 1; Pulse Pressure; Abdominal Obesity
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