Ascending aortic diameter and metabolic syndrome in Korean men

This study aimed to evaluate the association of ascending aortic diameter (AAD) measured by low-dose chest CT (LDCT) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in Korean men. AAD was measured with LDCT in 1046 healthy Korean men (mean age 50.7±9.7 years, range 28 to 69 years) participating in medical health check-up in a university health promotion center. AAD was defined as the longest length measured from the left main coronary ostium to the level of the right pulmonary artery in the axial plane in LDCT. The association between AAD and MS was examined using logistic regression. The mean of AAD was significantly higher in cases with MS (37.2±4.2 mm) compared with those without MS (35.1±4.3 mm) (p<0.001). Logistic regression with AAD showed that ORs and 95% CI of MS in Q2 (1.72, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.53), Q3 (2.59, 95% CI 1.85 to 5.81) and Q4 (4.71, 95% CI 1.63 to 8.79) were significantly higher compared with Q1 (the lowest quartile). In variable (age, body surface area, total cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, smoking, alcohol intake and exercise) adjusted multiple linear regression analysis, Q4 (the highest quartile of AAD) was significantly associated with MS compared with Q1 (OR 4.52, 95% CI 1.67 to 9.87). In conclusion, AAD measured by LDCT is significantly associated with the prevalence of MS in Korean men.