Neck-to-height ratio and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults: cross-sectional associations in a community-based cohort

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the association between neck-to-height ratio (NHR) and arterial stiffness in adults from a community-based Chinese cohort in a cross-sectional study. METHODS We conducted cross-sectional analysis using data from the Kailuan study, a population-based cohort research. Altogether, 18 972 individuals were included in the analysis. Brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), anthropometric indexes and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Data were analyzed by multiple lineal regression model. RESULTS NHR was positively associated with baPWV after adjusted for age, sex, blood pressure, heart rate, BMI, waist-hip ratio, current smoking, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, uric acid, high-sensitivity C reactive protein and creatinine clearance (β = 5.76, P < 0.001), while the association of neck circumference and baPWV was NS after adjusting the variables mentioned above. In subgroups analysis, the association between NHR and baPWV did not reach statistical significance in female, while in males, the association was significant. Interaction effects were observed among BMI stratifications and the individuals with metabolic syndrome and history of cardiovascular events (P for intereaction = 0.002, 0.038 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION The current study demonstrated for the first time that NHR was positively associated with baPWV in community-based population, NHR might be a promising independent predictor for cardiovascular disease.