Sex disparity in the association between hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and arterial stiffness in Chinese healthy subjects

Objective: To investigate the association between hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype and arterial stiffness in a Chinese population without hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.Methods: A total number of 3028 subjects aged 40years and over were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All participants provided a clinical history and underwent a physical examination. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was used to evaluate arterial stiffness. HTGW phenotype was defined as the simultaneous presence of waist circumference 90/80cm and triglycerides 2.0/1.5mmol/L in men/women.Results: The prevalence of HTGW phenotype was 7.5% among healthy participants in China (Beijing), 7.4% in men and 7.5% in women. Women with HTGW phenotype had a higher level of baPWV compared with normal WC and normal triglyceride (NWNT) group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in men (P>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed HTGW phenotype was significantly associated with baPWV after controlling for multiple factors in women. However, no significant relationship was observed in men.Conclusions: The present study supports that HTGW phenotype is associated with increased arterial stiffness in women but not in men.