To longitudinally investigate the relationship between serum sclerostin levels and the risk of increased arterial stiffness specifically in Japanese community-dwelling women aged ≥ 50 years.
Key Findings:
Increased arterial stiffness occurred in 94 women during the follow-up.
The rates of increased arterial stiffness were 22.2% (low tertile), 16.1% (medium tertile), and 12.4% (high tertile).
Odds ratios for increased arterial stiffness were 1.58 (medium tertile, P = .205) and 2.16 (low tertile, P = .027) after adjusting for age and baseline baPWV.
Interpretation:
Lower serum sclerostin levels are associated with a higher risk of increased arterial stiffness in Japanese community-dwelling women.
Limitations:
The study population was limited to women aged ≥ 50 years, which may affect generalizability to younger populations.
Potential confounding factors may not have been fully accounted for despite adjustments, which could influence the results.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that lower serum sclerostin levels may contribute to increased arterial stiffness, indicating a potential area for further research and intervention in cardiovascular health.
