Diet quality and carotid atherosclerosis in intermediate cardiovascular risk individuals

Abstract

BackgroundDiet quality indices address the diet’s complexity and are calculated by a combination of foods and/or nutrients which together represent a dietary pattern. The current study analysed the relationship between the common carotid artery intima media thickness (cIMT), the presence of plaque and the carotid target organ damage (cTOD) with the diet quality assessed through the Diet Quality Index (DQI) questionnaire in a Spanish adult population.MethodsA cross-sectional study. The target population comprised of 500 individuals aged between 35 to 74 years who had intermediate cardiovascular risk. The diet was evaluated by DQI which included beneficial and detrimental foods scored 3, 2 or 1. The total possible score ranges from 18 (the lowest quality) to 54 (the highest quality). Carotid ultrasound was used to assess the cIMT, the presence of plaque and the cTOD.ResultsAmong the 500 participants (mean age 60.3 ± 8.4 years), 54.4% were male. DQI mean was 40.08 ± 2.79, with no differences between men and women. The cIMT was lower in women (p = 0.002) and 16.6% of the participants presented plaque. No significant association was found between DQI and cIMT after adjusting by age and sex, and other confounders (p = 0.690). The logistic regression analysis showed no association of DQI with thickened cIMT (p = 0.890), the presence of plaques (p = 0.799) or cTOD (p = 0.942).ConclusionsThe diet quality index was not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in this Spanish population at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT01428934.

Effect of a 6-Month Controlled Lifestyle Intervention on Common Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

“…In observational studies, a healthier, more plant-based diet (more fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, moderate alcohol intake, and less red meat) has been associated with more favourable mean ccIMT changes over time (54). In contrast, one study from Spain did not find an association between diet quality and ccIMT, but in terms of diet quality, vegetable oils (other than olive and sunflower oil) were rated unfavourable, breakfast flakes and daily alcohol consumption were rated favourable, and no differentiation was made between refined and whole grains (55).…”

Nutrition, atherosclerosis, arterial imaging, cardiovascular risk stratification, and manifestations in COVID-19 framework: a narrative review

“…This will assess the nutrition quality and predict the carotid plaque burden, supporting the CVD risk assessment of patients. Currently, the Diet Quality Index (DQI) questionnaire is available, but it does not show significant linkage with the carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden [158]. Further, traditional risk predictors along with carotid ultrasound image-based phenotypes and nutrition components could be useful in providing the long-term CVD risk of participants.…”