Pulse pressure is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk: Data of the risk factors in impaired glucose tolerance for atherosclerosis and diabetes and the Sofia Metabolic Syndrome studies.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between pulse pressure (PP), cardiovascular risk factors and intima-media thickness (IMT) in a population at risk for type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis in Saxony, and to assess the association between PP and history of myocardial infarction in the general population of Bulgaria.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The Risk factors in IGT for Atherosclerosis and Diabetes (RIAD) study included 1139 subjects, aged 40-70 years, with a family history of type 2 diabetes, obesity and/or hyper/dyslipoproteinemia. The SMS study included 1018 subjects (> 14 years of age) from the general population of Bulgaria.

RESULTS

In RIAD study, PP was significantly correlated with age, plasma glucose, body mass index, microalbuminuria, triglycerides, waist-to-hip ratio, plasminogen activator inhibitor, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, leucocytes count and HDL-cholesterol (inversely). PP was also significantly correlated with carotid IMT. In multivariate analysis PP was an independent determinant of IMT. In the Sofia Metabolic Syndrome (SMS) study PP was significantly correlated with age, body mass index, waist circumference and fasting glucose and was an independent significant determinant of history of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

PP was an important cardiovascular risk factor both in a risk population for type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis in Saxony and in the general population of Bulgaria.