Prevention & lipidsCohort study
Determinants of Progression and Regression of Subclinical Atherosclerosis Over 6 Years
- Prospective cohort study
- serial multiterritorial 3DVUS imaging at 3-year intervals
Authors' conclusion
Over 6 years, subclinical atherosclerosis progressed in one-third of middle-age asymptomatic subjects. Atherosclerosis regression is possible in early stages of the disease. The impact of LDL-C and SBP on subclinical atherosclerosis progression was more pronounced in younger participants
Study context
- Population
- Middle-aged asymptomatic individuals (baseline age 40–55 years; 36% female), PESA cohort
- Participants
- 3,471 individuals
- Outcome
- Progression and regression of subclinical atherosclerosis (global plaque volume, bilateral carotid and femoral)
- Follow-up
- 6 years
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Progression (whole cohort)
32.7%
Progression as incident disease
17.5%
Progression from prevalent disease at enrollment
15.2%
Regression (participants with baseline disease)
8.0%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Effect of higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) on 6-year progression risk, by age stratum
- LDL-C effect more pronounced in youngest age stratum
- P for interaction = 0.04
- SBP effect more pronounced in youngest age stratum
- 0.02
Original publication
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it