PREDICTORS OF THE SUPERNOVA (SUPERNORMAL VASCULAR AGING) PHENOMENON IN POPULATION-BASED SAMPLE

Objective: It is known that chronological age can be different from biological age. Supernormal vascular aging (SUPERNOVA) - can be diagnosed in subjects who present an exceptionally low arterial stiffness for their age. The aim of our study was to identify the factors associated with the SUPERNOVA in subjects from population-based Saint Petersburg sample. Design and method: As a part of all-Russian epidemiology survey ESSE-RF random sampling of 1600 Saint-Petersburg inhabitants stratified by age and sex was recruited. Anthropometry, blood pressure measurement and fasting blood-tests: glucose, lipids, C-reactive protein, insulin was performed according to standard protocols. HOMA IR was used as a marker of insulin resistance. Carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was performed by SphygmoCor (AtCor). SUPERNOVA phenomenon was detected in case of equal or less than 10 percentile of PWV for healthy individuals in each age group [European Heart Journal. 2010. Vol. 31. P. 2338–2350]. Results: PWV was performed in 524 individuals, SUPERNOVA was revealed in 55 (10.5%). Cardiovascular (CV) risk predictors were compared in different age groups. In the group of people 25–39 years old, there were no significant differences in CV risk factors between subjects with the SUPERNOVA and other persons. In the group of 40–49 years old, individuals with SUPERNOVA had significantly lower SBP (p = 0.036), BMI (p = 0.042), HDL (p = 0.021) comparing with others. In the 50–59 years old, among SUPERNOVA subjects there were more often females (p = 0.029), significantly lower were: SBP (p = 0.032), BMI (p = 0.009), HDL (p = 0.002), HOMA IR (p = 0.039) and higher adiponectin (p = 0.045). In the oldest age group: 60–69 years old, those with SUPERNOVA also had significantly lower SBP (p = 0.006) and DBP (p = 0.005), total cholesterol (p = 0.009), LDL (p = 0.016), triglycerides (p = 0.025) and significantly higher adiponectin (p = 0.014). Conclusions: It seems that at young age the presence of the SUPERNOVA phenomenon is not determined by the presence of traditional CV risk factors. Starting from middle age (> = 40 years old) such factors as female gender, SBP, BMI, HDL and adiponectin is associated with supernormal vascular aging. In the oldest group the levels of both SBP and DBP, lipids acquire the greatest importance for the presence of SUPERNOVA.