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MODERATION OF BODY FAT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGE AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN DOWN SYNDROME

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) have high levels of BF% despite attenuated increases in arterial stiffness compared to adults without DS, indicating that BF% may not contribute to increased arterial stiffness in this population. This study investigated the associations between age, BF%, and arterial stiffness, and the moderation of BF% on the relationship between age and arterial stiffness in adults with and without DS. METHODS: Thirty-three adults with DS (age 36±11 years) and 58 adults without DS (age 28±11 years) underwent measurements of BF% by bioelectrical impedance and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) by applanation tonometry. Pearson’s correlation was used to examine the associations between age, body composition, and arterial stiffness. Moderation analysis was performed to determine if BF% moderates the relationship between age and arterial stiffness in adults with and without DS. RESULTS: Age was significantly associated with BF% (r=.33, p=.006) and CF-PWV (r=.71, p=<.001), and %BF was significantly associated with CF-PWV (r=.43, p<.001) in adults without DS. In adults with DS, age was significantly correlated with CF-PWV (r=.59, p<.001). BF% was not associated with age (r=-.02, p=.453) or CF-PWV (r=.13, p=.233). Moderation analysis showed significant main effects of age (β=.49, 95%CI [.24, .74], p<.001) and BF% (β=.28, 95%CI [.08, .48], p=.007) in adults without DS. Simple slopes analysis demonstrated that, in adults without DS with low BF% (-1SD), age had a non-significant impact on CF-PWV (β=.25, 95%CI [-.22, .72], p=.295). For those with average BF%, age had a significant impact on CF-PWV (β=.49, 95%CI [.24, .74], p<.001) and for those with high BF% (+1SD) the significant impact of age on CF-PWV became even larger (β=.72, 95%CI [.51, .93], p<.001). In adults with DS, the main effect of age on CF-PWV was significant (β=.69, 95%CI [.36, 1.02], p<.001); however, the effect of BF% was not significant (β=.16, 95%CI [-.14, .45], p=.285). CONCLUSION: The relationship between arterial stiffness and %BF differs between adults with and without DS. In adults without DS, increased BF% increases the impact of age on arterial stiffness. Body composition does not appear to significantly contribute to the age-related increases in arterial stiffness in adults with DS.Funding: MSU ORED and I’m An Athlete Foundation

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