Abstract P215: Association Of Lung Function In Mid-life With Central Artery Stiffness Later In Life, The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study

Introduction: Poor lung function and aortic stiffness often co-occur, but causal and temporal relationships are equivocal. Investigating relationships between mid-life lung function and arterial stiffness later in life may highlight modifiable targets to slow arterial aging. Objective: Assess whether lung function in mid-life is associated with central artery stiffness later in life, and whether this relationship is modified by baseline smoking status, hypertension, or diabetes. Methods: We included 3,529 ARIC cohort participants (60% women; 22% Black; mean baseline age 51.4 (SD: 4.9)) who attended visits 1 (1987-1989) and 5 (2011-2013). Spirometry included forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) of high-quality grades. Central artery stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)) was measured at visit 5. Associations of mid-life lung function with later-life central artery stiffness (cfPWV>75 th percentile) were evaluated by multivariable Poisson and logistic regressions adjusted for covariates. Sensitivity analyses excluded participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease identified from surveillance of hospitalizations occurring in follow up (N=109). Results: Mean FEV1 at visit 1 was 3.04 L (SD: 0.73) and FVC was 3.99 L (SD: 0.96). Lung function varied by thoracic height. Visits 1 and 5 were a mean of 23.8 years apart, and mean cfPWV at visit 5 was 1167 cm/s (SD: 379). Lung function at visit 1 was inversely associated with adjusted prevalence and odds of later cfPWV>75 th percentile among those present at visit 5 (Table). Stratum-specific estimates suggested modification by baseline smoking status, hypertension, and diabetes, but were not nominally statistically different. Sensitivity analyses did not alter inferences. Conclusion: Lung function at mid-life is inversely associated with central artery stiffness in later life. Whether change in mid-life pulmonary function is associated with arterial stiffness later in life warrants further examination.