OBJECTIVETo explore the profile and related factors of carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (CFPWV) in a community-based Beijing population of middle and old age.

METHODSA total of 1519 residents aged 44 - 79 years old from Shijingshan district, Beijing, were recruited for the cardiovascular risk factor survey and CFPWV measurements. One way ANOVA, pearson correlation and partial correlation, stepwise multi-linear regression were used for the data analysis.

RESULTS(1) The age-adjusted mean value of CFPWV was significantly higher in men than that in women (11.4 vs. 11.1 m/s, P = 0.007). CFPWV increased significantly with age both for men and women (all P < 0.01). (2) After adjusting for age and gender, CFPWV was significantly higher in people with hypertension, diabetes and higher heart rate (> 70 beats/min) than people without these factors (P < 0.01). (3) CFPWV significantly correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and heart rate (correlation coefficient ranged from 0.12 - 0.46, all P < 0.01). In female, CFPWV was positively correlated with total cholesterol and triglycerides (correlation coefficient 0.11 and 0.13, all P < 0.01). Multi-linear regression analysis showed age, gender, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and heart rate were independent predictors of CFPWV.

CONCLUSIONIn this middle and old age Chinese population, age, sex, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and heart rate but not HDL-cholesterol and body mass index were associated with CFPWV.