Association between body composition indices and vascular health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveThis systematic review explores the intricate relationship between body composition, with a specific focus on skeletal muscle mass, and vascular health indices, including measures of arterial stiffness-pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI)-as well as arterial structure, specifically carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT).MethodsAn extensive literature search, encompassing PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, was conducted until January 2024. Inclusion criteria involved original observational studies, with cross-sectional or longitudinal designs, reporting body composition parameters and vascular health measures. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) assessed study quality. Statistical analyses utilized Stata 17.0, employing random-effects meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and evaluation of publication bias.ResultsFifteen observational studies (n = 21,215) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses revealed a positive association between fat-free mass (FFM) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) (effect size ES: 1.79, 95% CI 1.68-1.91), highlighting a relationship with arterial structure. Similarly, body fat percentage (BFP) was positively associated with PWV (ES: 1.45, 95% CI 1.15-1.82), and FFM showed a positive association with CAVI (ES: 1.46, 95% CI 0.78-2.71), both measures of arterial stiffness. Subgroup analyses revealed a non-significant association between appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) and IMT (ES: 1.01, 95% CI 0.76-1.35).ConclusionThis meta-analysis highlights the complex relationship between body composition and vascular health. Subgroup analyses suggest the need for further research into specific body composition indices and their clinical implications.Level of evidence: III evidence obtained from well-designed cohort and cross-sectional studies.ConclusionThis meta-analysis highlights the complex relationship between body composition and vascular health. Subgroup analyses suggest the need for further research into specific body composition indices and their clinical implications.Level of evidence: III evidence obtained from well-designed cohort and cross-sectional studies.