Objective Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is 1.37 (0.79-2.38), and 1.80 (1.03-3.15) in men, and 1.0, 1.04 (0.56-1.94), 2.35 (1.30-4.22), and 2.20 (1.16-4.20) in women. After adjusting for various known risk factors, the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis (IMT 1.0 mm) was higher in subjects in the second, third and fourth quartiles of SUA concentration with odds ratios (95% CI) of 2.41 (1.08-5.37), 3.33 (1.49-7.42), and 2.73 (1.17-6.35

Objective Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a useful surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease. In addition to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), metabolic syndrome has been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study investigated whether the clustering of multiple components of metabolic syndrome has a greater impact on vascular parameters than individual components of metabolic syndrome, and assessed the association between carotid IMT and LDL-C and metabolic syndrome.Methods Carotid

We have retrospectively investigated the effects of three strong statins, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, and rosuvastatin, on serum uric acid (SUA) levels. SUA levels after a few months of statin treatment were compared with those before treatment in 150 outpatients with dyslipidemia. In the atorvastatin (n = 62) and rosuvastatin (n = 45) groups, the SUA levels were reduced by 6.5% (p < 0.0001) and 3.6% (p = 0.03) respectively, but in the pitavastatin group (n = 43), the SUA level increased by 3.7% (p = 0.38). Because uric acid is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, atorvastatin or rosuvastatin treatment may be recommended when statins are used in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disorders complicated with hyperuricemia.

It is not known whether subjects with metabolic syndrome and elevated blood pressure are at the same cardiovascular risk as subjects with metabolic syndrome but without elevated blood pressure.

Background:The objectives of this study were to clarify the relationship between functional capacity and background factors in community-dwelling elderly people.Methods: Study subjects were 1070 community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older in 2001 who could provide complete responses to questionnaires regarding functional capacity. All subjects were enrolled from the April 2001 resident registry of Nomura-cho in Ehime prefecture. Functional capacity was measured using the 13 items of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) index for competence (instrumental self-maintenance, intellectual activity, social role).Results: Subjects consisted of 472 men (mean age ± standard deviation, 73 ± 6.5 years) and 598 women (75 ± 7.6 years). Functional capacity decreased with age. In particular, functional capacity was markedly decreased in women at highly advanced ages. Multiple logistic regression analysis of functional capacity showed that significantly independent explanatory variables included younger age, good financial condition, participation in community activities, regular physical exercise, absence of prescription medication, absence of hearing impairment, absence of cognitive impairment and physical independence. Conclusion:These results indicate that good financial condition, participation in community activities, regular physical exercise, absence of prescription medication, absence of hearing impairment, absence of cognitive impairment and physical independence are important for maintaining functional capacity in elderly people. Early preventive measures are necessary to combat decline in functional capacity, particularly in women at highly advanced ages.