| Abstract [eng] |
This dissertation examines the prognostic value of arterial parameters and other significant variables of individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in predicting cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The study is relevant due to the increasing prevalence of MetS and its association with CV disease risk, for which the assessment of traditional risk factors is often not enough. The study allowed to identify arterial markers with independent prognostic value, compare their influence on different CV events, and find the associations between MetS components and their combinations with both increased arterial stiffness and CV outcomes. The study also evaluated the significance of traditional risk factors, laboratory tests and treatment-induced changes in arterial markers. The study stands out by several aspects. It presents a comprehensive analysis assessing all major levels of subclinical arterial damage – from endothelial dysfunction to morphological changes in the carotid artery wall. It is one of the largest longitudinal studies to date, including nearly 6,000 middle-aged individuals with MetS, whose long-term follow-up results revealed associations between specific combinations of MetS components and a markedly increased risk of future arterial stiffness. Repeated measures allowed to observe arterial stiffness dynamics and to evaluate the effect of pharmacological treatment and its associations with CV events. Furthermore, the study provides valuable data on the Lithuanian population. |
