All analyses were performed using the SAS package for Windows (9.1 Version Cary, North Carolina, USA). Data are presented as mean ± SD or proportions, unless otherwise specified. Student’s t-test was adopted to compare means in participants without and with HVA. ANOVA analysis was adopted to compare variables across age groups. ANCOVA analysis was adopted to compare means across groups after controlling for age, sex, and hypertension.
The definition of HVA based upon age-specific PWV lower percentiles was adopted for further statistical modelling. To have some insight as to whether factors protecting from arterial ageing are the same that, when elevated, accelerates arterial ageing, we compared cardiometabolic risk profile in participants with HVA or with EVA, and with all those without HVA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was, therefore, adopted to identify determinants of HVA and EVA. A two-sided P value less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance.
The definition of HVA based upon age-specific PWV lower percentiles was adopted for further statistical modelling. To have some insight as to whether factors protecting from arterial ageing are the same that, when elevated, accelerates arterial ageing, we compared cardiometabolic risk profile in participants with HVA or with EVA, and with all those without HVA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was, therefore, adopted to identify determinants of HVA and EVA. A two-sided P value less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance.