Artery Research

Volume 24, Issue C, December 2018, Pages 124 - 124

P153 PULSE WAVE VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION IN CHILDREN AT A SCHOOL IN THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL

Authors
Mariana Formigo1, Cristina Silva1, Nuno Formigo2, 3, Sara Freitas1, Cristina Cunha1, Margarida Rocha1, Clarisse Neves1, Laura Castro1, Filipe Gonçalves1, Maria J. Cotter4, Pedro G. Cunha1, 5, 6, Jorge Cotter1, 5, 6
1Center for the Research and Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira, Guimarães, Portugal
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto, Portugal
3Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
4Department of Natural Sciences, Escola E.B. 2,3 João de Meira, Guimarães, Portugal
5Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
6ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
Available Online 4 December 2018.
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2018.10.206How to use a DOI?
Abstract

Background: Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness and vascular aging and an important parameter for cardiovascular risk stratification. A previous study showed high prevalence rates of early vascular aging in an adult population from the North of Portugal. The aim of this study was to characterize children from the same region regarding PWV and its relationship with central adiposity indices and blood pressure.

Methods: A convenience sample of 285 children aged 10–14 years attending a Northern Portuguese school was used. PWV, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference e blood pressure (BP) were measured. Collected data was distributed by gender, age and height specific percentiles.

Results: Mean PWV values were 5.4 ± 1.0 for males and 5.1 ± 0.7 for females. We only found statistically significant differences between males and females PWV in the 13’ years old group (p = 0.02). 27.4% of the children (N = 78) had PWV ≥ 90th percentile, 64.1% of which were males (N = 50) and 15.3% (N = 12) were overweight/obese. PWV was significantly higher in children with systolic BP ≥ 90th percentile (p = 0.004). No differences were found in PWV between overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) and healthy weight children.

Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence rate of elevated PWV in children. This is a concerning aspect, taking into account the highly recognized relationship of PWV and cardiovascular outcomes, indicating that healthy policy measures need to be implemented early in life. Future research is needed to establish PWV reference percentile curves specific for Portuguese children.

Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Download article (PDF)
View full text (HTML)

Journal
Artery Research
Volume-Issue
24 - C
Pages
124 - 124
Publication Date
2018/12/04
ISSN (Online)
1876-4401
ISSN (Print)
1872-9312
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2018.10.206How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Mariana Formigo
AU  - Cristina Silva
AU  - Nuno Formigo
AU  - Sara Freitas
AU  - Cristina Cunha
AU  - Margarida Rocha
AU  - Clarisse Neves
AU  - Laura Castro
AU  - Filipe Gonçalves
AU  - Maria J. Cotter
AU  - Pedro G. Cunha
AU  - Jorge Cotter
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/12/04
TI  - P153 PULSE WAVE VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION IN CHILDREN AT A SCHOOL IN THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - 124
EP  - 124
VL  - 24
IS  - C
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2018.10.206
DO  - 10.1016/j.artres.2018.10.206
ID  - Formigo2018
ER  -