Association of Age with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Arterial Stiffness, and Brachial Artery Systolic Time Intervals in Thai People Undergoing a Routine Annual Physical Exam

Background: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), arterial stiffness measured by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and right brachial artery augmentation index (R-AI) have not been clearly correlated with age because of the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors. The association between age and brachial artery systolic time intervals (STIs) is not known. Objective: To evaluate associations of CAVI, R-AI, right brachial artery STIs, and CIMT with age. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional, observational study. Thai people at least 18 years of age presented for an annual physical exam were enrolled. Medical histories were collected, physical examination performed, and CAVI, R-AI, right brachial artery STIs, and CIMT were assessed in all participants for statistical analyses. Results: CAVI, R-AI, and CIMT demonstrated moderate, positive correlations with age, and their pattern of relationship were linear (p-value for F test <0.001). Right brachial artery STIs were weakly correlated with age. In multivariate analysis, age was an independent risk factor for arterial stiffness and CIMT (p<0.001). Conclusion: Age is an independent factor for arterial stiffness, CAVI, R-AI, and CIMT, and these measurements represent aging of the arteries from the neck to the ankles. Keywords: Age factor, Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), Right brachial artery augmentation index (R-AI), Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), Right brachial artery systolic time intervals Received 8 May 2019 | Revised 2 Aug 2019 | Accepted 9 Aug 2019